DocBauer

Yep. But he's not Quick, who came with a very high FB and some nasty secondary stuff but needs refinement. Again, he's closer to Matthews as a big body with solid IP and college results, and some decent stuff who needs professional coaching to take the next step. We won't see him, probably, until 2027. But he will probably add a tick or 2 to his velocity and change some shapes of his stuff. He could be a fast riser in 2027. THIS DRAFT offered a LOT of college arms in regard to depth. It didn't have a lot of college arms that might be fast risers. But I think they got a good one here who just needs a tick or two on velocity and some repertoire tweaks. A potential riser in 2027?

He's a tall, well built kid who comes from Colorado. What you're banking on here is future potential. He's probably going to need a couple of years just to adjust to a professional workload. A HS pitcher is amongst the best and worst investments you can make. Of course, it's not like all college arms ever turn out either. But a successful HS arm turnout usually turns out very well in the long run. So you ALWAYS take a shot, like Soto and Hill, to see if you strike gold. But you also have to accept talent that might not be ready for 3-5yrs. You also have to recognize that arms from colder climates sometimes take longer as they weren't necessarily facing the same competition, or necessarily on the same touring teams as arms from warmer states. But a talented arm with potential is a talented arm with potential. He's pretty highly rated, with a great build, and about ready to have professional coaching for the first time. We won't see him until 2027, but he's got the arm talent to wait on. Not a bad pick, given time.

A good frame with solid velocity and some decent secondary stuff. He's projectable. He reminds me somewhat of Matthews from his scouting reports. Good stuff, good IP, some solid stuff, can probably add a couple ticks to velocity, and then refine his secondary stuff. He's not Quick in pure velocity, but he's got some real potential as a solid middle rotation arm. More MPH, he might take a step up. A very solid pick. Projections have him taking a step forward with professional coaching.

I would have gone P as well. But MOST of the college P I really liked were gone, as expected, even though I was hoping for the best. There were still a couple I still liked, but I'm sure the Twins draft board is very different than me as a very amateur GM. And their NEXT TIER apparently showed a collection of arms that just didn't mesh with MY opinion. I think we all have to remember that the FO knows a hell of a lot more than we do. So an arm we see ranked at a certain point doesn't mean the Twins see enough of a difference from the next group.

Full confession, my knee-jerk reaction was WTH? Wasted pick! It just caught me SO off guard. But I quickly relaxed after I heard Jamie do a more complete breakdown. NOTE: Basic Twins draft principle has usually been there are arms with potential to develop, but TOP BATS tend to disappear after the first couple of rounds. NOTE 2: Jeffers was a surprise 2nd round pick that wasn't rated that high and they turned out pretty well with that pick. (Seth pointed this one out). NOTE 3: Tait and Jiminez are each very, very young and 2-3yrs away. Diaw has great athleticism and bat potential, but he's still rough around the edges as a catcher. I still like him if he can/will put in the develop work necessary. So Tinney is a big guy who might not move the best, but is a big target and has a really strong arm. Despite some HIT concerns, he BB a lot, and it sounds like his hit&miss is still within the zone. That would seem to indicate some HIT potential and decent recognition skill. His hard rate contact and SLG numbers are all in the top 5-6% of college bats this season. So the 70 power ranking seems to be for real. I'm a big believer in drafting and developing CATCHERS every single draft. So I can't really dislike selecting another catcher when it's such an important position, and often ignored, or at least undervalued for sure. And not just by the Twins. Really good catchers are hard to come by. Just think about how concerned many are about a possible loss of Jackson at this point. A backup catcher behind Lackey with a strong arm and big power suddenly doesn't sound like such a bad idea when you consider ALL of these factors. And there's room for him to DH and maybe play some 1B as well. I think it would be a major mistake to say he's another Sabato. Maybe another Jeffers-like catcher would be more accurate. I'm not certain that I would have made this selection, but reflection after my initial knee-jerk reaction has me understanding why they went this route. I can see the reasoning for a 2nd catcher and a BIG BAT that has the potential to move around some.

Tait not yet 20yo at A+ and struggling a bit doesn't concern me. There are prep prospects being selected at 19yo in this draft.

I liked your post even though I don't 100% agree with it. Ryan is the more important extension candidate. But IF TP is serious about the team contending...and they continue to win series and get above .500...I don't think the QO is completely out of the question. Nobody at catcher is going to bready immediately.

Two good developments for a bullpen that needed them, and still needs more. Makes Raya having a nice debut and then immediately getting injured just that much more bitter hoping we might have a 3rd good developmental story. Can CJ stay healthy, continue to develop, and get some time the last 2 months to get set up for 2027?

I truly would have been very happy with any of the top 3 options. But Lackey was my favorite. It's just so rare to have a quality, athletic, defensive catcher with a good arm who can also be a quality, contributing bat. It also turns out to be a great organizational fit as well. Super excited! 2 weeks at Ft Myers just to get started and then immediately up to Cedar Rapids?

Yuk

His injury is unfortunate, but it's a hell of a lot better than a knee or something similar. I'd say this pushes his debut back until August 1st just due to healing and some game time to get in a groove. But I still think/hope we get to see him get his feet wet for 2027 and beyond. In the meantime, we hopefully get to see Kreidler as the primary SS.

A few comments: 1] GREAT WIN! The team kept grinding. 2] I'm still SO IMPRESSED by Prielipp and what he's done after being brought up earlier than expected. You can see the potential. 3] Man, if Funderburk could ever throw that well daily he'd be a part of a decent bullpen. Do we still have hope? 4] I don't know know how good of a ML ballplayer Roden can be. But I know the skills are there. I've never expected greatness out of him. But he SHOULD have made the opening day roster instead of Outman. And he should have been USED instead of this crazy roster idea of only playing with a 12 1/2 roster idea. THIS is his opportunity to show that he IS a MLB player, and that he belongs, even as a quality 4th OF. I'm super happy for his contribution tonight, and give him extra kudos for turning around for the 2nd water splash during his interview, lol. 5] While I absolutely love Cory Provus to pieces, I really LOVE the multiple color commentary of multiple former Twins in the booth! I enjoyed it last season, and my only regret is not being able to watch the whole games to enjoy the experience. TV is very different than radio. Radio you need the play by play. When watching the game, the guys still set things up, but they also offer up some great thoughts and moments, coupled with humor. I think Cory would only add, but I just love having a 3 and 4 man booth where we get humor and perspective. PLEASE give us more of multiple former Twins in the booth. It really adds a lot of fun and interesting perspectives of the game.

I think moving Larnach can open a spot for someone like Roden...if he PROVES he's as good as he appears to be...and bring something back. But he's only going to bring back someone's 4th or 5th pen arm, unless you want to settle for a prospect. But maybe someone else's 4th or 5th arm is a young Varland? He's more replaceable than Bell is. Bell brings back a prospect. Just promoting a prospect to fill his roster spot doesn't help this season. Jeffers brings back the most, if traded. But again, what are you expecting back? A team looking to keep winning and have a chance for the playoffs, much less a potential WS appearance, PROBABLY doesn't have anything to offer other than a couple really good prospects, or again, maybe a #4-5 RP that is Varland junior. And that might be fine for 2027 and beyond with Caratini and Jackson as at least competent replacements. I'm not saying the Twins CAN'T get a solid RP with talent, and upside, and control who might help this season, but it might be difficult. Again, what playoff contender wants to weaken their bullpen to acquire a necessary bat? Well, as stated, maybe they have a 4th or 5th arm with potential they are willing to move. But that's cutting a very thin slice of opportunity. But a couple decent arms that might contribute in 2027 is NOT out of the equation. A BAT isn't going to happen in trade without moving prospects. A SP that can eat some innings similar to Keuchal a couple years ago might be acquired for next to nothing. SOMEWHERE there is a veteran SP on a lonely team without playoff hopes that would love to have even a decent prospect for someone to eat the rest of his 2026 salary. That could help the Twins eat up innings, and help conserve Prielipp, who MIGHT finish the season in the BP just to monitor his IP. But the bullpen is probably not going to be addressed for THIS SEASON by trading Larnach, or Jeffers, unless we get a nice surprise. THOSE potential trades would be for prospects that might be CLOSE but probably not on a current roster. That doesn't mean trading them would be a mistake. They might bring back help for 2027. But if the Twins really want to add to the bullpen, you need to look back to 2019 when they traded a handful of decent, but not TOP prospects to acquire Romo and Dyson. Let's forget the fact that Dyson was hiding and injury and turned out to be a bad human being. On paper, he was a good rental on the cheap. Romo turned out to be a cheap addition to help and was good enough to bring back. Look, I know it's been 7yrs, but Romo cost the Twins 1B Lewin Diaz, a power bat on the upswing at the time. That would be the equivalent today of Sabato. Dyson cost OF Jaylin Davis, also on the upswing, and a couple of low A MILB prospects. Today, that would probably be Rosario and a flier or 2 from the FCL. Romo was a great acquisition. Dyson could have been. The Twins just aren't going to get immediate bullpen help from trades of Larnach and Jeffers. Or Bell, who I don't think they will move. But they might get future help. BUT they have the choice to get veteran rentals, eating what's left on their contracts, that they can choose to resign, or younger arms that have control. But it's going to cost prospects. Or maybe there's a few cheaper but solid options similar to Romo and Dyson out there. I'm not crazy about rentals unless they come cheap. I don't want to wreck the MILB system for a rental at this point. But what if a Rosario and a solid A prospect could bring back a Varland junior from a sub .500 team looking for younger talent? Who knows, maybe Fedko is better than paying a veteran another couple $M guaranteed next year for the Angels or some team. My whole point is, BULLPEN is what's needed. But the best way to find arms for NOW is to trade prospects to get them from teams that don't figure in to any playoff structure for 2026. The question is are you looking for rentals? Or someone you have control of for a couple of years? The cost changes depending. And how much are you willing to pay for either avenue? Again, like Romo, you might just get someone cheap that you can resign again. But to add to the pen for THIS SEASON, what you're really looking for is non contending teams looking for some prospects. The veterans the Twins might move are going to bring in prospects for 2027 and beyond.

I hope he does well. But right now he's behind Raya and CJ IMO, so I'd be surprised to see him this season.

As stated, just take the best available at #3 and don't overthink it. Take a couple arms early and make sure you end up with at least a dozen. This is a big year for HS arms. That makes it a perfect time for the Twins to go over total $ and add the extra 5% available that doesn't incur a penalty. This would be the FIRST TIME, but a great time. That's something like an extra $500-600K. That might be enough to get a top prep arm to sign with us.

At this point, the only reason to not bring K-Pepper up is if he plays enough to reach Super 2 status in regard to arbitration. With 2 recent, minor, injuries, that remote possibility is just about out the window. The actual 1 year extra control window is over and done after about 5-6 weeks in the season. Obviously, we are WAY past that. And honestly, I can't recall the last prospect, or any prospect, that has been held back only for that reason. And the Super 2 does really affect years of control so much, it just allows arbitration earlier. Again, we're about ready to cross that line soon. I think we were days, or even a day, from his promotion before he "twinged" his hip running in for a grounder. And then he came back for 2 games and got hit on the hand with a pitch. Early reports, from what I've heard, are not serious. Just a bruise that will set him back a few days to a week. Then he will need to play again for a few days at least to get ready. We will see him late July or 1st week of August. Yes, it should have been sooner. As to Gray, good guy, good story, good early season. He's stretched at SS for more than a day or two here and there. Not so bad at 3B or 2B. But he hasn't hit worth a darn for a good month and a half. As to why Shelton is so enamored with him is perplexing. The INF defense is just so much better with Kreidler there. I would have just put Fedko in CF to see what he can do and kept Kreidler at SS. But Gray will be gone in 2-3 weeks, replaced by KC. He still has an option so he will be sent to St Paul for depth. The biggest question is, what do they do with Jeffers? He's about ready to come back. If they DFA Jackson...who has no options...it's very doubtful he passes through waivers. So Fedko goes down, and they keep 3 catchers until Jeffers is traded. OR, I think unlikely, do they just keep Jeffers and A] run out the string and see him walk for nothing, B] offer him a QO, which I doubt, C] still work out a last minute extension? I think a trade is likely. And you can probably keep 3 catchers for a couple of weeks. But then again, Buxton is only on the IL for 10 days. So you send Roden back down before the deadline? There's a lot of interesting roster moves coming that are beyond just Gray.

I'm going to partially disagree with you here. We're so beyond the point of where to lay blame for the offseason. Is it on ownership or Zoll? Both? To what percentage? Personally, I still lay the blame on ownership at about 75-80% for how they bunnled the whole transition. You can't tell me they were so obtuse as to not just tell Zole changes were coming, but just figure you've got $115-120M to spend. Instead, they blame TP's late arrival as not having time to increase the budget. But they had enough $ left to make a run at Valdez? They could have earmarked that $ for pen help. But again, I blame both sides, I just give the weight of the blame to ownership. But Orze is a young arm making the minimum who cost a small prospect. No real investment there. Topa was "OK" last year, has experience, and only cost a little over $1.2M. So while it might have been a wasted roster spot, there really wasn't a $ invesent there. Rogers as a potential 2nd or 3rd LH for 1 season at $2M isn't a major investment at all. And while he's not close to being what he was, he's been relatively "OK" more than he's been bad. A couple of poor appearances have skewed his ERA. And no, I'm by no means happy. But Gomez has been a find. He's probably a get 7th-8th man going forward. The conversion of Morris has gone very well. Festa might have changed the complexion of the rebuild, but we all know what happened there. Raya has been on fire for a month or so at St Paul and is finally getting his shot. So far, in SSS, I like the look and shape of his offerings. He's getting a SHOT. Hopefully they aren't expecting greatness overnight and will stick with him. I like the conversion of CJ Culpepper to the pen, which I had been expecting, and it's going well so far. I think he's up in August to get his feet wet, gain experience, and get ready for 2027. Now, a couple acquired RP at the deadline could change that plan some. And even Rojas has helped the pen in his brief time. Like Sands or not like him, he had a great 2024. We've seen flashes in 2025 and early this year. Who is he? We still don't know for sure. But getting healthy again will hopefully let us find out. Again, I am NOT happy with the bullpen, or how it's been handled. And it doesn't matter where the blame is to be laid, my opinion or anyone else's. But Orze, Topa, and Rogers were very inexpensive additions to "try and hold things together" for a time until better offerings were available. Well, Adams and Lawyerson aren't probably part of the solution, but at least they were younger arms getting a shot to see if they could help. I totally agree on auditions of Garcia and Lawrence as just being a waste of time. I would have rather seen about ANYONE under 30yo getting an opportunity. But Festa has been out all season, and I think that made a real difference. They DID find Gomez, but that was a MUCH smarter option than the older re-treads they tried. Orze, unfortunately, has been hit and miss so far, and hasn't taken a step forward. Maybe he still does? Raya needed time to adapt to his new role and see if he could FINALLY turn a corner. Perhaps he has? It really looked like it for St Paul. And again, I think CJ is next. Yes, they blew the offseason! Yes, they've absolutely wasted opportunity on some of their older "experiments"! Hell, I would have rather stuck with Klein over Lawrence and just see what he could MAYBE do for 1-2 IP at a time. But they really didn't "invest" a lot in Topa and Rogers, other than some time. But much like the deadline last year, SOMEONE had to pitch. So they took a couple flyers on these guys. But Orzee isn't some "old guy" and they have done well with Morris. And I think Raya and CJ have a shot. And whether or not Rojas should or should not be kept as a SP option going forward, he's helped in the Twins BP so far. I'd put him back there again and cut him loose for the remainder of this season and then make a decision after the season is done. Go is just another under 30yo option at 28yo who had a really nice career at KBO before having a rought time in the States. Maybe it's right time and right place and we get a solid middle man? Maybe he's dumped in a couple of weeks. But at least he's a 28yo with previous success in his professional career, even if it was oversees. He's a hell of a lot better than trying out yet another over 30 retreat. So I agree with your post, but also disagree slightly. The Twins have at least tried out some younger arms. Injury and readiness have complicated the issue somewhat. But we are slowly starting to see some shifts.

Except, a few years ago that had Thielbar doing a great job at AAA and let him walk to the Twins after the season. That turned out pretty good for the Twins.

I would prefer an extension foe Jeffers and keep him. I've been consistent all along in that regard. I just think it's too late for that. But with Caratini and Jackson as decent, viable options, it does seem like an opportunity to move him and get something if value. I'd bet they get a bigger haul from the Yankees as they probably don't see hum as a rental as they will throw him a nice resign offer and can afford it. Not sure that's how the Rays would see it. I just don't see Larnach back for $7-8M when you have Roden and 4 other top 10-12 OF prospects sitting at AAA, PLUS Keaschall moving to the OF. (Roden just promoted of course). Now, if one of those OF is moved for a solid pen arm with some control, that changes the complexion a little bit. But Larnach is having his best season. So I also don't want to disrupt the team flow. But Roden possibly just step in to Larnach's spot and increase the team defense and speed? If his HITTING can come close to Larnach, it might be a win-win without really disturbing anything of consequence. I doubt Larnach brings back anything to help this season, but you never know. There might be someone who could use his LH bat and offer up their version of Varland pre-breakout. Or it could be an arm just about ready to debut that could help next year. Considering his career profile, Bell is probably going to be good the remainder of the season. He would be much harder to replace than just "throwing one of the prospects" on the roster and roll through the DH spot. He's a lot harder to replace, IMO, than Larnach. Especially if the Twins keep playing good baseball. But if you get a really good offer, you have to consider it. Perhaps Buck plays a little more DH the rest of the way? But right now, the way the team is going, I think Bell would be a mistake to move.

While this is a major bummer for Buck and for the team, I'm kinda happy about it. First, nobody van take away his All Star selection. That will always be on his career. But second, with the break, he should only miss 2 series and get some rest for the final 2 1/2 months or so. I think this is a smart move. I'm glad Roden is getting a shot, I just hate that it happened at Byron's expense. I think everyone but the Twins believe he should have been on the opening day roster instead of Outman. He should be playing daily unless facing a LHP and then you might still give Fedko a chance. That also means Kreidler can play SS instead of covering SS. I feel silly saying this, but I'm kind of excited to see if Go actually has something to offer the pen. I don't expect anything but a solid middle man type of production out of him. But I like his mix and the fact that MAYBE he found something this season in his control/approach was lacking when he came over. He could also look very average to poor, in which case, it only cost a few $ to take a looksee over Laweryson.

I just have to say I don't think it's fair to have included Raya in comments concerning bullpen failings. The kid just came up and has looked OK so far in a handful of appearances. While obviously lacking experience, I've got excitement to see what Raya and CJ Culpepper...CJ not even up yet...can do over the rest of the season to help, and to gain experience for 2027. I like their long term potential more. But yes, I'm a little excited to see what Go can do. I'm a little surprised Detroit didn't want to give him a shot. Why keep him around and then let him go just as he was throwing well? But high leverage? Maybe because of his experience and a lack of options, but how about seeing if he can be a reliable middle man first?] I like his experience and I like his mix. I like that his career is on an upswing in 2026, starting with performing well for Korea in the Baseball Classic. Is this one of those "right time and right place" scenarios? Let's hope so.

Not to nitpick, but according to Baseball Reference he's actually 27yo and turns 28 August 6th. Still, that's different than being a 35-39yo desperately clinging to his career. Interesting to me that he's really struggled initially since he came over, but seems to have put it together in 2026, begining with a reallly good Baseball Classic performance this spring. This kind of reminds me of when the Tigers had Thielbat at AAA doing really well but they decided not to protect him and the Twins grabbed him and brought him back for quite a few good years. With a slider, curveball and splitter to go along with his 4 seamer, he's got a good mix of pitches. But I read one place where he sits at 93mph, and I've also read he sits mid 90's. While that doesn't sound major, a couple MPH can make a difference. Seemingly good K numbers and a tendency for ground balls...with the Twins revamped INF...he's very intriguing. Right time and place? I'm anxious to see what he looks like.

What I'm still encouraged about is a good eye. As he advances, his K% vs BB % might drop. So his OB% might also drop some. That's just reality facing better pitching. What I'm encouraged about is a decent contact % and a decent eye to be a decent hitter. I think he's got that. What I DON'T care about is power. He is NOT a small man. His NATURAL BAT is FINE with me, a DECENT AVG and solid OB% and a lot of Dbls power. While stealing a few bases along the way. I'm 100% with him as a GOOD HITTER with a solid OB % and limited power. With his defense, he could be an All Star. In a couple of seasons , his natural power might make him even better, but let's stop looking at the future vs tomorrow. He's doing OK at AA so far. How about we just STOP any comparisons and just enjoy his development

I probably should have saved most of my coments made after today's game for this OP, lol. I guess, skip most of what I say if you've read those already. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. But IF YOU DO, I think you're going to agree with me. Agree on the Ryan lost in Houston was an opportunity for 5-1, but I'm super happy with 4-2, while initially crossing my fingers for 3-3. The defense didn't help Ryan in the Astros game, and I believe he wasn't close to 100%. He commented after the game how exhausted he was. IIRC, that bizarre 6 run inning was IT for the Astros. Just something closer to normal, we can win that game as well. 1] This road trip in particular was nice due to two tough places to play. And Buxton only played 1 game, not including 1 inning in Sunday's game. It really has been a team effort. Forgive me if i missed this in the OP, are am just wrong, but haven't we won 5 of 6 series? You chip away one series at a time. 2] I'm discouraged by Matthews' final line. Kudos to him for trying to "work his way through it to save the bullpen" but he admitted later he was struggling and trying to land differently to avoid coming out of the game. The good news it's just a cut on his foot and it shouldn't stop him from his next start. Still, I wonder if they will try to find a way to skip him or push him back a couple of days "just in case". 3] Keaschall is looking like a natural OF. He's getting better and better. So OK, he's no longer a 2B. Maybe that's best for HIS future and the Twins. But the future OF is crowded already. He's going to be a 5 position utility player come 2027. Mark my words. 4] It was really nice/fun to watch Raya finish Saturday's game. Even though it was a blowout, he showed control, velocity, and breaking stuff that showed movement and depth. Other than a SSSS, so far, he's only looked poor in his 1st inning debut. I am NOT going to believe he's going to make a difference until I see more...and I can easily see a few bad games where he gets sent down and comes up later...but I'm starting to see "IN PERSON" the type of potential he has. And I'll say again, I care more about growth and development than I do about immediate results. His FUTURE with the Twins is WAY MORE important than any disappointment for not turning out to be a SP. 5] Perhaps Martin isn't done yet. But he's also had enough time to prove he's a role player, not a starter. 6] I just HAD to throw this in. I still have no idea if Fedko is a legitimate ML 4th OF or not. He's still hunting for hits. BUT, he might not only be pressing, but his game action has also been severely limited. Unfortunately, he's been given the Keirsey, Outman role of barely playing. I don't think that's fair at all. Especially considering I simply DON'T UNDERSTAND this idea of playing with a 12 1/2 man roster. But, IMO, I've liked what I've seen of him in very limited action. He's looked comfortable in the OF. He produced a solid SF for a run, and has looked like he knows what he's doing on the bases. With the Twins, or another team, I think he can play MLB. 7] THIS is the BIG ONE. I LOVE the Twins winning. I'd LOVE to see a .500 or better record or better when the season is done. And IF the Twins could somehow sneak in to the playoffs, it just makes the season that much more fun, regardless of final results. I have really enjoyed what Larnach has done this season. And I love that Bell is doing what he has done for his whole career, which is basically suck to begin the season and then crank it up to be a very dangerous BAT. And I really don't want to deprive the 2026 Twins from having the best season they can, for the players, and for the fans. But at some point, we HAVE to be talking about 2027 at the same time! Gomez has been an uncovered steal who might not be quite this good in the future, but he damn sure looks like a late inning keeper for the future. And Morris looks like the next great late inning reliever for the pen. Rojas's future is yet to be determined, but boy has he flashed! Bradley has flashed, got hurt, looked mortal, and has recently flashed again. Abel has flashed liked crazy, and should STILL be considered part of the future. Matthews has been OUTSTANDING save a couple of games. And Prielipp has not only debuted early, like Rojas, but has probably been even better than expected while going through normal growing pains. We've already seen PART of the pitching future of the Twins. There are others in the immediate wings, some injured, that are part of the future as well. And AGAIN, I DON'T want to derail a potentially interesting and fun season, but WHEN do the position players get their opportunity? K-Pepper should be up in July. That means Gray is down, Kreidler gets to the SU player, and the INF is largely set, and better than how the season began. Nick, you mentioned Clemens as a pissible trade piece. I disagree. I'm not an ignorant fan. And while I recognize Clemens BEST ML season was with the Twins in 2025, I just can't ignore that he has been even better, and more consistent in '26. I just can't believe that 3+ months of this season has him as a flash in the pan. He's not great, but he is good. And I think he has 2B locked down until Houston develops/debuts down the road. Unless, of course, the Twins suddenly acquire a 2B for 2027, which I doubt. He just means more to the Twins than moving him. But let's be honest, Larnach and Bell just don't have a future on this team. And while I'd love to extend him, I just don't believe TP and the FO will extend Jeffers. So Jeffers is moved. (Chringe). And while few fans want him to go to the Yankees, the truth is they can EASILY see him as a resign, and not just a rental. So the return might be solid. If the Twins move both Larnach and Bell at the deadline, would that really mean they "gave up" on the season? Rodriguez is out of options and should be ready sometime in August. HE NEEDS TO PLAY. Roden appears beyond READY to contribute. (I see him as a better defender with more speed and AT LEAST as much power as Larnach to take over the same role). And Jenkins is looking more and more ready. PLUS, Mendez and Gonzalez are also sitting and waiting for their opportunity as well. Does moving Larnach and Bell automatically mean the Twins are giving up on 2026? I'd say NO when the forthcoming promotions are K-Pepper, Roden, and probably Jenkins with Rodriguez sometime mid August. Do the young players flash immediately? Maybe. Maybe not. But not only are they more interesting, and more fun to watch, they are part of the future. Additionally, what if they actually do well? While it didn't turn out in the long run the way we hoped, a collection of young players helped the 2023 Twins have a great 2nd half to reach the playoffs and win a series. It's FUN to watch this mis-rostered 2026 team still fight and claw and change in front of us. And there have been a LOT of changes. (Not all good certainly due to injuries). But the reality is this was DESIGNED to be a transitional team. They were SUPPOSED to be a competitive team come the deadline...whatever that really means...but I've always believed that was around .500-ish. That would allow moves to ADD, or at least avoid another sell off. PLUS, it meant mid season was about the time various PROSPECTS were also about ready to debut. Well hell, it didn't turn out as expected. Lopez and Festa weren't supposed to be hurt. Lewis and Wallner weren't supposed to be unplayable. And here we are, changes making a difference defensively, a rotation of young arms and unknown arms still providing glue, and a bullpen that is BAD, but sometimes OK, and an offense that is a group effort. So here I AM, asking for part of that lineup to be moved on. The Twins not only aren't going to bring Bell back, but they just aren't going to pay Larnach around $6-7M to be a part time player with all of their prospects. Move Larnach and Bell. Get Roden and Jenkins up. Rodriguez in August. It's almost disgusting to say, but Gonzalez and Mendez might have to wait. You, as an organization, aren't punting on 2026, you're just allowing younger, more talented players to show what they can do, and getting ready for 2027 and beyond, and hopefully bringing back a couple decent prospects back. Buxton, Keaschall, Clemens, Lee, Lewis, are still in place. K-Pepper settles at SS and might provide some solid offense as well. Kreidler is free to play anywhere. Roden could be an immediate replacement for Larnach in LF, even better defense, and a top of the order kind of bat. Even though Bell is a really good bat a playoff team would like to have, isn't there room for Buck to play there, or Clemens, or Lewis, or Keaschall, to allow time for Jenkins? LOVE what the Twins are doing. But rebuilding on the fly just shouldn't stop! **FINAL NOTE: Moving Ryan offers up a lot of opportunity to add additional PROSPECTS, NOT ML players. It would be for prospects, even very good prospects. ONLY my gut opinion, TP has had enough time to watch what he's in charge of. And he recognizes the already diluted fan base might be even WORSE with a Ryan trade. It would affect 2027, AND his continued rhetoric of competing in 2026. I actually he gives a crap about his family's perception, and the future value of the organization. So Ryan is NOT going to be traded unless there's an offer that Zole presents him that is just too good to turn down. It whipes away any initially credibility TP wanted to state. While no numbers were ever given, word is the Twins actually offered a decent contract for Valdez that Detroit won. So why not an extension for Ryan that makes TP look really good? Even if it brings nothing but a QO offer after 2027? Again, just my opinion. Ryan stays for now. The Twins move Jeffers, Larnach, and Bell and become light buyers. And Ryan stays and is offered a decent contact eventually. And that's a different discussion for a different day. But he's going NOWWHERE for this season for PR if nothing else.

Almost 28yo, so not young, but also not old. Really solid numbers in the KBA, even if his BB Per were a bit high. His MILB numbers for Detroit this season, mostly at AAA: 1.96 ERA, 41.1 IP, 21 HITS, 0.823 WHIP, 2.8 BB PER, 11.8 PER. Strange to me he'd be available and not with the Tigers seeing if he could help. But I don't always trust their internal scouting. Remember when they were a bad team and they just let Thielbar walk after having a great AAA season? The Twins sure benefited from that Detroit mistake. The problem might be as @DataNerdstates. If the velocity is that low, there just might not be enough upside. He sounds like a different version of Laweryson at that point, the guy he probably replaces. BUT, if the velocity is wrong by even a couple mph, he could be intriguing. I mean, he's not another 33yo + arm so why not take a looksee? MAYBE lightening strikes twice this season. It happens. Right team, right time. I still like the potential of Raya and CJ better in the long run, Go seems worthy of a look.