DocBauer

Three things always frustrated me about Rooker, and I was higher on him than some. 1] He looked good in his SSS debut and then got hurt, which might have helped spoil his prospect momentum. 2] He was always referred to as a good overall athlete with a good arm that could develop in to at least a decent OF. There was also the "fallback" of becoming an adequate 1B. But for whatever reason, the defense never got good anywhere. 3] It did feel like he never got a lot of opportunity past his debut in 2020. But he didn't exactly set the league on fire in 2021 either, when given his next shot, and the Twins did have DH and the corner OF spots pretty much set at the time. He really needed to show improvement that he simply didn't. A couple decades earlier, the Twins got Shane Mack as a rule 5 player who had never lived up to his ability and he had a wonderful stretch as a Twin. Just recently the Twins grabbed Castro as an underperformer who turned his career around. Two different teams...and the league in general...dismissed Rooker until he got a shot with the A's. Sometimes guys just figure it out late, need a wakeup call, or just require a change of scenery to blossom as players. IIRC, Rooker had a great start with Oakland, then tapered off dramatically that first season. I think he rebounded later in the year? No question he had a tremendous 2024. For his sake, I hope he does it again. I just can't fault the Twins for not looking down the road 2 or 3 years to speculate him turning in to a good ballplayer/bat. They made a move at the time that included keeping others instead of him. Sometimes you guess wrong a few years later. BUT, I do think Rooker's blossoming...and Castro for that matter...could/should be a reminder to our FO to look a little more closely at home once in a while at what's on hand. When you do have a someone, or a couple someones, who are blossoming late, don't be too quick to dismiss them as possible helpful additions to your team. But no ill will towards Rooker, and no blasting the FO for not guessing Rooker might turn in to something good 2 or 3 years down the road and missing out. Nobody else saw it happening either. Good for Rooker!

The beautiful game that is MLB sometimes appears stuck in it's ways far too often in certain aspects. But then again, it's also got a natural flow of change that happens over time. Power is up, speed went way down until at least a slight comeback recently, starters are seldom 200IP mainstays any longer, bullpen have become more important and roles are defined differently, etc. But over all the decades I've watched the game, I've seen very few relievers turned in to quality starters. A few teams have tried it recently with mixed results. So I have to wonder if this is a fad, or something that might continue to grow. But a few positive results have me skeptical for sure. I recall many years ago when a solid starter in Aguilera was turned in to a great reliever. The Twins attempted to move him back to the rotation with rather poor results, and I think he became injured at one point as well, but memory does fade. How great is Jax's desire to try to start again? I mean, I think every pitcher from little league to MLB dreams of being a successful SP. But it just isn't for everyone. But for Jax, is he adamant about the move? Or is this just a thought? He wasn't capable as a starter. Period. He moved to the pen, reinvented himself, and became a dominate pen arm. I dare say one of the best in MLB. I know he's not the same pitcher he was in the past. But there is ZERO guarantee he'd be as good as he'd need to be in that role even as a different pitcher now. The velocity will be down as he paces himself. How do other teams react to his stuff seeing it 2 or 3 times in a game? Can his body/arm adapt back to throwing 85-100 pitches in a game? And even if he could, would it last for more than half a season? I think the 3 points Cody brought up in the OP are very real concerns. And I agree with them. It's really hard to take someone who is excellent in his role and then expect him to be anything close to as excellent in a very different role. I'd like to think Jax would recognize all of that, and the possible pitfalls of mediocre/poor performance and even potential injury. I would vote no, and keep him in a role that he excells at, still makes decent $, and will continue to gain in earnings even though it wouldn't be of the kind of money that a top starter can potentially make. Simply from a team perspective, he's more valuable in his current role, IMO, coupled with 3 quality starters and a collection of young arms ready and nearly ready to take over the last 2 spots, and providing depth and future service waiting at AAA. It's my hope all parties will indeed be open and honest and intelligent in all discussions. It's up to them, and not me. But I'd like to see him remain where he's at currently.

Brilliant move! He costs a pitance for the Vikings for the remainder of the season as the Giants are on the hook for his salary. Darnold spent a year on the bench in SF in a good system with a good staff to learn, grow, and shake off his past. Now he's in a great system, with talent around him, and looking a lot like the talented QB he was supposed to be. Assuming he's gone next season, it will be up to him to go to a team that offers talent and a good staff to continue his career trajectory. If Jones is smart about his career, and doesn't just jump at any offer to some miserable team that needs a QB, he'd take a backup offer from the Vikings and follow Darnold's path. Now, Mullens isn't a horrible backup by any means. But Jones is younger, more athletic, and has at least flashed some in his career. But a year with the Vikings might provide him a rebuild to his career where another team might give him a Darnold like opportunity in 2026. He'd be smart to follow that path. The Vikings have zero risk involved here.

Based on finances, and the previous history of the FO to move slowly in the offseason, we're probably not going to have much to talk about in regard to 2025's team...other than small signings...until January at the earliest. Waiting, being patient, has often paid dividends for the FO when they've brought in values like Cruz, Gonzalez, and a few others. IIRC, most trades have come in January or later. As have some quality signings. And personally, I believe the changing marketplace that is MLB at this time might have more than a few FA sitting at home in early February looking for a job on bargain deals. Hopefully that will allow a value signing or two to augment the fringe areas of the roster. But we all know the financial story of the 2025 Twins, which is to say there is no $ room available to sign anyone until $ is freed up somehow. And barring some MAJOR surprise, we know that means trades involving Vazquez, Paddack, and possibly Castro. (Personally, I really hope it's not Castro). While there are reasons to be patient, especially considering what might be a deflated market this year, there is one very serious need for the 2025 Twins makeup that I believe should be addressed aggressively, and that's a LH for the pen. I am not here to debate with anyone who doesn't see the depth of talent...or lack of depending on your perspective/opinion...for the Twins to have a good pen next season. But I believe we can all see and agree on the need for ONE quality LH to make the pen really work. We had 3 really good years of Thielbar being that LH option who could be viable against RH batters. But he's gone now. IMO, there's a pair of LHRP available on the market today. I think this is the one time where they should strike first, and figure things out later. Andrew Chafin is well known to the Twins. Even at 34yo in 2024, he turned in a great season. He has almost exact splits for his career and had been highly productive with solid K numbers. He earned a little below $5M in 2024. But would he sign for a 2yr $8M type of deal? Would the Twins want to wait for him to slip through the cracks for a 1yr deal? Based on career numbers and a good 2024, I'd bet on him for 2yrs and get the deal done. Colin Poche was brought up recently in an OP after being non tendered by the Rays despite his arbitration numbers being about $3.4M. His career OPS against LH batters is surprisingly higher than RH batters due to SLG %, but AVG and OB% are better against LH hitters. That would seem to indicate a few more mistakes against same side hitters. But generally speaking, he's effective to both sides for his career. Is the 30yo as good or better option than Chafin? Is this a time where the FO should make an important early move and figure it out later? Should they be patient and see if one of these arms or someone else falls in to their lap later on? Am I missing a target you think is better?

Look, I'm NOT placing this not yet 20yo kid on a path to the HOF, but when I read scouting reports and prospect rankings, etc, I keep getting flashes of being a somewhat slower Trout who hits more Dbls but fewer HR, or a Mauer who might have a lower AVG but more power? It stinks he was hurt early last season. It's good it was a pulled hamstring and not a knee, or shoulder type of injury that required repair. With his size and ability, the HR power will come naturally. And the Twins don't have to, and won't, mess with his natural swing much at all. They don't have to. Again, the natural power is there, and I'd bet the most they do is "tweak" a couple things, which is common practice for all prospects. As talented as he is, I'd speculate he's ready for AAA come first of June or July. And for a 20yo, that's NOT a conservative estimate at all! Now, whether he debuts late in the season for a cup of coffee is debatable, and not worth worrying about IMO. But it's possible. Looking down the road to 2016...trades could happen of course...but an OF of Larnach, Buxton, Wallner, Rodriguez, and Jenkins is not a dream, but a real possibility. Not sure exactly who plays where, but one or both of Rodriguez and Jenkins can spell Buxton in CF on days off, or IL stints. I rather like Wallner as the promenade RF with his arm, though Rodriguez and Jenkins have the defense and arm to play there as well. But with LF larger at Target Field, I like Rodriguez/Jenkins in LF over Wallner as they probably move a little better and can cover a little more ground. Larnach and everyone else can also DH for half days off. Hard to believe all 5 will be healthy at the same time all season long. But that's where potential trade possibilities occur. However, do either Larnach or Wallner have the ability to convert to 1B at that time? I'm not saying GG ability, but just the ability to be solid there. It would be a shame to put Wallner's arm at 1B, but he's a good athlete and big bat. Why couldn't he play 1B, potentially, and still be able to play some 1B? Larnach isn't quite the athlete Wallner is, but he's not a stiff either. Could he be a potential 1B candidate? IF one of them has the ability to handle scoops and any kind of instincts, baseball intelligence to grasp the subtleties of the position, you suddenly have the best of all worlds with 4 prime OF talents, a productive/dangerous 1B who can still help cover an OF corner, and great DH coverage. Am I getting ahead of myself here? Maybe. But if Jenkins is ready in 2026, we're only talking a single season away from this possibility. And all 5 players are cost controlled. I think it's at least worth a moment of exciting reflection. The #1 priority is Rodriguez and Jenkins just being healthy for the upcoming season. Whether Rodriguez jumps straight to the Twins, or comes up later, the issue is him being healthy and taking advantage of his opportunity at the ML level in 2025 WHENEVER it comes. Good health and continued development for Jenkins should have him ready for 2026, IMO. Though I certainly won't be disappointed if he debuts late in 2025.

Sorry, appreciate the notion of another "Pineda" opportunity, but I don't see a fit here at all. Forgetting for the moment the Twins dont have any extra $ to make this move, Sandoval is basically the same age as Lopez, Ober, and Ryan. He has a higher career ERA than all 3, had a higher BB rate than all 3, and a lower K rate than all 3, has never thrown over 150 innings, (close once), and his FB gets hit hard? But he's a mid rotation, playoff caliber starter that could allow the Twins to MAYBE trade 1 of those 3 next offseason and take their place? And he'd probably cost around $8-10M in 2026? Wouldn't that be about the same salary as Ober or Ryan would earn in 2026? Other than being LH and...so far...a worse pitcher than our current big 3, what exactly gets accomplished here?

The Twins top 3 are pretty damn good. Period. SWR just needs to prove he can be as good as he was in 2024. He actually got better, and more confident as the season went along. You could see the growing confidence on the mound. He did grow tired late in the season, surpassing career IP totals. He's still quite young. I've read multiple times about STUFF PLUS, and how good his pitches rate. If that's really accurate, then he needs to put guys away a little sooner to take the next step. But if he only threw as good this season as last, he's a solid arm in the rotation. But he's definitely got room to take another step forward. Festa was really impressive, for the most part, as a rookie making his debut as well. His BB weren't awful at 3.2 per 9, and his K rate of 10.8 was impressive. A couple early appearances inflated his ERA, but I believe his ERA was right around 4 after his first 4 or 5 appearances. Nothing wrong with that for a rookie at all. He's not a finished product by any means, but the stuff is there. If the curve he's dusting off/working on can be even decent, he gives batters something else to look at and think about. No offense to SWR, but I can see Festa as the #4 guy in the rotation by mid season. This has the makings of a good to very good rotation! Matthews was pressed in to ML action early. He still showed promise. And his rise last season was pretty remarkable. Hopefully, everyone is healthy and he sits at AAA for a couple months before being needed. Morris is just behind Matthews in the pecking order, and might be just as good. He also could use a little more AAA time. While not on the 40 man, which Raya is, I wouldn't be shocked if Lewis and Culpepper weren't more ready to debut over the younger Raya, despite his potential. They're simply older, and have thrown more innings. I don't dislike Paddack at all. Further removed from TJ, and more time to stretch out and get a feel for his change, I'd be fine keeping him. If he's 100%, he's got some upside to be a solid back of the rotation arm. But it's that upside for someone else, young arms on hand, and the need to find some financial breathing room that makes me believe he's moved elsewhere. It's been a very long time since the Twins have been able to march the kind of talent to the mound to start games that's they've had the past few seasons, including 2025. And I can't recall a time in recent memory when they had this many good looking young arms arriving, or getting ready to knock on the door.

I guess I'm just of the more patient mode of thinking. I'd be more inclined to jump Rodriguez straight to the Twins if he hadn't missed so much time last season. I don't deny his talent or potential. And I don't deny a great eye, defense, speed, and power. He's very exciting. But I don't think a little bit of patience is a bad thing. Does he K more than you'd like? Yes. Is that necessarily a strong negative to deflate his potential? Absolutely not. Plenty of higher K than you'd like hitters are still able to produce solid AVG to go along with power and production. The best have a good BB rate to offset higher K numbers. Higher K hitters are sometimes very patient. They work the pitcher/count looking for a pitch, refuse to swing at everything, but sometimes end up in 2 strike counts, which can lead to a BB, a hitter, or a K. More or less, the 3 outcome approach. I think that's largely Rodriguez. Again, that's not a bad thing. I'm not saying I'm right, but from all I've heard and read, I do wonder if he's TOO patient at times. And that's a small concern I have, along with the ability to adjust and simply make better contact with offspeed stuff. Again, I'm not denigrate him, or his potential. He's immensely talented! And I can easily see him struggle somewhat at first, as most rookies do. And I'm not opposed to promoting kids aggressively. And the FO isn't opposed to promoting aggressively either. I just think some time at AAA to work on a few things, play daily, see some better pitchers, get in a rhythm after missing so much time in 2024 would do him some good. I have no doubt his performance, talent, and opportunity will see him with the Twins in 2025. And we may see a lot of him. But we're also talking about a 22yo who played a little less than half a season last year. If the Twins run with him opening day, I'll watch intently, hope for the best, and hope he's up to stay for good. I'm just expecting some AAA time to be more prepared for his debut.

Not sure why Washington would want to move on from him if he has potential. Based on his MILB numbers and age, there's some reason to believe he may improve as a hitter, and provide a little speed and pop. He does have some upside. So again, if they are rebuilding, why would they want to move on from him? And I have to say it again, if the Twins can keep Castro, they already have a better option in place. At least for 1 more season. And while someone like Helman was mentioned, I don't know if there's any more reason to believe he'd do any worse with the bat at this point, and he's even more flexible defensively. I just don't see a match here, or need. If Castro is back, then discussing a replacement for Farmer, the Twins SECOND utility player, just doesn't seem to be a priority.

Topa and Varland still have options. I don't like the idea of keeping someone on the roster merely because they are out of options so we'll just keep them and hope for the best. However, think about Ober a couple years ago when he absolutely didn't belong in AAA to begin the season. But he was only there for about 3 weeks before the roster changed and he's been up ever since. The early season injuries to the pen in 2024 clearly show you just can't predict how many arms you're even going to have to begin the season. And right after the season began, the Twins lost Duarte, he earned a job coming out of ST. So yes, having depth and a couple guys with options who MIGHT begin the year at AAA isn't really a punishment, it's just playing with the initial roster to see what you have, and keep as much depth as you can for as long as you can. I am intriged somewhat by Colin Poche as an option. I don't know if he's the right choice to target as he actually has reverse splits and is more effective against RH bats. But his numbers aren't bad against LH hitters. And he's probably affordable, as well as experienced. Granted the Rays do an excellent job with their pitchers, but maybe the Twins have an idea how to get him a little better against LH hitters? Still, I'd rather have a version of him that's better against same side batters and still solid against RH. I'm just uncertain who the best target should be. But no question if they can find the "new" Thielbar...when he was really good the previous 3 years...changes the complexion of the pen.

As on OVERALL I think the FO has done a pretty good job in most of their trades. That doesn't mean the Orioles trade for Lopez and the Reds trade for Mahle didn't turn out to be clunkers. The Margot trade and the Mariners trade this past offseason are basically nothing about nothing at this point, unless Doncon or Gonzalez turn in to something, or become traded in another deal. But again, if Topa has a good season, then the Twins do get SOMETHING from the Mariners trade in the immediate. I maintain it's difficult, if no ingenious, to look at a young prospect traded for immediate help, who might turn out to be years later, and say the trade was poor in any way. For example, if Petty has a good career with the Reds, it doesn't erase 2 very good seasons of Gray. The Gray trade was good. So was the Odorizzi move. Ditto Cruz for Ryan. Lopez for Arraez was good. I still like the Maeda acquisition, even though injury spoiled a full season of potential value. And there have been others such as Taylor, smaller, maybe only for a year's worth of help, but solid trades. I maintain an approach of "did we get better and accomplish what we set out to do". Generally speaking, I think the FO has has the scale tipped in their favor, despite some poor decisions. Payroll won't allow much for trades this offseason, barring opening up some financial room somewhere. I do think it's possible youth may be traded for youth in the form of a young catcher, possibly a young 1B. That makes sense on paper in regard to the roster and the payroll. Were they able to acquire a young catcher in such a move, it makes moving Vazquez easier. Followed possibly/probably moving Paddack. Then they'd have some $ to play with and maybe grab a 1B and LHRP to "finish" the roster.

I think I like him better at 1B than LF. The main reason being Wallner, Buxton, Jenkins, and Rodriguez may just push him back to the INF anyway. The reason I say 1B is because I'm assuming Lee and Lewis in some combination of 3B and 2B. A former SS in college before his senior year transfer to AZ State, I think he's a potentially fine 2B. But is there room there? And I don't have a problem with a good athlete being at 1B. That's like saying a guy playing LF is a waste because he'd be such a good CF but behind someone. You never go wrong having a great athlete on the field, no matter the position. And being a good athlete at 1B might just allow for an even better than average defender. I think his ETA is second half of 2025 if he's 100% The bat and the eye look real. Regardless of position, future Twins leadoff hitter?

Right or wrong, the HOF has two very glaring weaknesses. #1] CATCHERS. For whatever crazy reason, the catcher position has been grossly absent from the Hall. I've heard excuses about offensive numbers holding back selections. But I've also heard arguements in the past about "old time" voters ignoring more modern day statistics and evaluations. But you'd think the "old timers" would have been more inclusive of appreciating the catcher position. I hope this changes going forward. 2] IF modern day baseball is going to accept relief pitchers as viable Hall candidates, then they need to start doing comparisons and evaluations on merit. Whether you agree RP should be included or not is not the point. They either need to be recognized or not. The game has changed over the decades. And dominate relievers have become part of the game, and the mythos of the game. Numbers over the past 30 years would say Nathan was more than dominate to be at least seriously considered. Santana is absolutely part of the "Koufax" syndrome. And I don't mean that as a negative. It's a measure of a player/pitcher who was absolutely amongst the best of their generation for a 7-10 year period vs someone who played/pitched for 14+ years. Koufax is a prime example. Puckett is a player example. Sometimes a player/pitcher is just really good for many, many years. On the pitching side...since that's what we're discussing here...you have Sutton, Blyleven, or Morris. All 3 of them are worthy of their inductions to the Hall, IMO, based on career achievements, numbers, longevity, and periods of dominance. When considering HOF worthiness, I've always asked myself, "was this guy truly dominate over many years". In regards to Santana, his numbers, 2 CyYoung awards...screwed out of a 3rd...and total dominance for a relatively long period of time? I vote YES. In regards to Nathan? He was probably just as good for the same amount of time, despite getting a late start. But his possible induction comes down to how voters value dominate relievers vs starting pitchers. I think he's "right there" with those who have gotten in, and those who might still. But it's certainly harder to quantify his relevance based on history. Perhaps he's a future veterans addition as time goes on?

First of all, every-single-team signs guys non tendered every single year...often to MILB deals...for depth and opportunity to uncover something. As @stringer bellpointed out, that's how the Twins got Castro. There's a couple guys listed here that I'd at least consider. Austin Hays had a poor 2024 but a solid 2020-23 run with decent production. He's also got CF experience, though i don't know how good he is there. Competition with Helman for a RH OF spot of the bench? I can see Josh Rojas as a classic utility player if Castro were gone. (I hope to hell that doesn't happen!) I love good defense, but not much time at SS, limited bat, limited power, and only a single season where he really stole a lot of bases. Very Luke warm on him. Dylan Carlson is interesting as he's only 26yo and might have some upside still. He's very good defensively. But he's got a weak bat, not even a great bat as a MILB player, limited power and doesn't steal bases. But as a switch hitter he hits LHP pretty well. On a MILB deal I'd jump in, but that's all. Ramon Laureano I'm not familiar with. But looking at Baseball Reference, the 30yo has 13.9 WAR for his career and plenty of CF experience. He's got a mediocre batting line, a little power, and a little speed. A potential 4th or 5th OF on a MILB deal? I'd be somewhat interested in Patrick Sandoval on a cheap make good deal. But only on a MILB deal with incentives. He's been a mediocre SP with high BB numbers and limited K's per 9. But only 28yo, might he be ready for a switch to the pen when healthy? Would his stuff play up there? I find him somewhat interesting. I understand this is an OP to consider what's out there following initial cuts from rosters. This is not about adding difference makers at all, just guys who might fill a role at some point. But AAA depth is important, and once in a while, you find a steal. I'd take a look at Hays and Carlson as possibilities for potential depth and help in the OF at some point. Rojas is a bit interesting for the same as a utility player in St Paul. But of the others mentioned, I don't see a fit. MAYBE Laureano as an experienced option.

While appreciate all of the hard work that went in to this...and I understand the methodology that went in to it...I tend to agree with @bean5302 that WAR by itself doesn't provide a conclusion for me on these. I look more at what, if anything, it accomplished for the Twins. Prime example: Graterol has helped the Dodgers, not as much initially but more recently, and Maeda was either really good or really bad when with the Twins due to injury. But he provided one wonderful, Cy Young votes season. And he was actually quite good in 2023 after some early struggles to help the Twins reach the playoffs. The Pagan/Rogers trade remains a weird, crazy, hard to quantify deal. Rogers was great initially, then fell apart. Pagan was horrendous his first year, but was actually very solid and got a few big outs his second season in 2023 to also help the Twins win the ALC and reach the playoffs. And while I absolutely loved having Arraez as a Twin, I would make the move of him for Pablo twice tomorrow. The whole Polanco to Seattle trade turned out to be pretty much a joke for both sides. Nobody won anything. But there's still the possibility of Gonzalez turning out to be a solid ML player, or, part of a future trade. But if Topa's knee is OK for 2025 and he can throw 60-ish innings of solid relief this season and approximate the pitcher he was for Seattle in 2023, then the Twins "win" this miserable trade a year late with said solid performance. While it involves a lot of twists and turns, ultimately, the Donaldson trade did allow the Twins to sign Correa. That also had a hand in re-signing him, though i wouldn't have minded being able to keep Urshela for another season. IIRC, Wade didn't have a particularly good 2019 season at AAA. In SSS he was OK with the Twins in 2019-20 but didn't set the world on fire. Again, SSS to be considered. Cave seemed more "established" and was considered a better option in CF. At the time, keeping Cave seemed to make more sense. I would have rather kept both, and in hindsight Wade would have been the better choice for sure. But hindsight is always 20/20. A lot of these moves never moved the needle much, but a few did. That's why I say just WAR by itself doesn't paint an accurate picture. Not saying the FO made really great moves here at all. Or all the time. I just think the context of value/return is vastly different than that one measurement.

He was fun to watch play. He always seemed to embody energy when he was on the field and in the lineup. Two really solid seasons with the Twins, and a third not so great. But nothing but fond memories. It would be nice to find a clone of his out there for a bench spot on the 2025 roster. Of course, a few of us hold out hope Helman might possibly be that guy. I applaud Lew for not giving upnon his Baseball dream!

If Tonkin was not brought back...not saying yes or no to that...he makes up about half the difference of the $ between Castro and Mateo, and is the better hitter. So we downgrade to add speed but no bat? I don't like it. The Twins need to find a single, quality, LHRP who doesn't stink against RH batters. I don't know exactly how they do that, but it's a need. But if Soto hasn't done that yet for all the teams he's previously thrown for, how does he fit? Do the Twins really see a "fix" they can make? If so, he's worth looking at. But at $4.5M projected he'd probably be the most expensive RP on the roster in 2025, or at least close to it. And that's too much for a guy who allowed a AVG against of over .300. If the Twins are interested, they'd better be right about a potential fix for him.

Short answer is NO, they aren't redundant. The Twins need both a LF and a RF who can hit and provide offense. Plus, 70-75% of all pitchers are RH. So them being LH is a good thing 70-75% of the time. I've become confused about the fascination of the Twins having "too many" LH bats. Again, most of the time, having good LH hitters is a GOOD THING. Yes, there are switch hitters in baseball, but most of the time, you only get to choose 1 of 2 ways to hit, left or right. I believe you just make sure to stagger Larnach and Wallner with at least 1 RH bat between them. Also, let them bat sometimes against LHP to see if they can grow and adjust. (Wallner was actually being "trusted to do so later in the season last year). And don't just automatically remove them in the 5th inning when a LHP takes the mound. Odds are a RHP is coming in next! I also don't have a big problem if Keirsey is the best option behind Buxton. Again, most pitchers are LH. Castro can play some OF as well, as the aforementioned switch hitter. And SOMEONE is going to be on the roster as a RH hitting OF. Right now, it's likely Helman, who can also play CF, or Martin, if he can improve both his hitting and his defense. But it's also likely there's going to be a semi-interesting RH OF sitting there late January/early February looking for a job. I've watched Larnach in LF and he's fine. Not great, but fine. Wallner needs to get more comfortable in RF in regards to Target Field, but he's OK, and has a cannon. So he's not Kepler, but he's not bad, just different. This arguement is best tabled until 2026 when Rodriguez is hopefully proven ready and already flashed, and Jenkins is closer. Maybe Rosario or McCusker is ready to contribute as well? Even then, there is the potential of DH and a possible switch to 1B for someone. But for 2025, NO, they are not redundant at all.

He was a surprise to me initially before I really thought about it. While he's behind several other good arms in the system, a solid FB and good slider and the ability to not BB hitters could make him a likely target for someone to grab and stash as the 13th man in the pen for 2025. So his addition actually makes sense. Guys do suddenly take steps forward in to legitimate ML arms. And Ober is a great example. He was a surprise add a few years ago when he adjusted his mechanics for better health, velocity and control. Might Adams be following a similar jump forward? Just a hunch, but I think we'll see him in the Twins pen at some point in 2025, even if it's just a few innings.

If you rank prospects due to talent and upside, why not have him in the top 10, whether 5 is correct or not doesn't matter. If you rank prospects more on numbers posted so far, he'd be out of the top 10. Neither way is right or wrong, just different ways of ranking. He didn't throw after being selected. And then he had a non-surgery shoulder issue in 2021, as mentioned above. Then at least a smaller, similar setback that forced him to start later the next season. I'm not concerned it's an issue, just a reason for him being brought along more slowly than "normal". Just my opinion, but I'm guessing a young kid still growing in to his body, had a couple issues, so he's been nursed. I hadn't even paid a lot of attention as to his actual IP until the end of the season, being so focused on the number of pitches thrown schedule he was on. But he ended up just shy of 100 IP and HEALTHY for the whole season. That tells me he's about to be let loose a bit more in 2025. Everyone is limited a bit their first couple of turns when a season starts. So he's probably not going to be throwing more than 70 pitches per game early. But over 100 IP for this upcoming season with a target of about 120-125 sounds right to me. The command/control lacks consistency so far. But that comes from actual experience. And from all reports, all 4 pitches are solid, though I'm uncertain if he has a straight change as a 5th option. I'll echo previous comments that if he becomes another Jax I wouldn't be disappointed. But I'm pretty sure he's regarded as a legitimate starter by the Twins, and that's how he'll be treated this year. I don't think he's as ready as others on and not on the 40 man currently for MLB, but that's OK.

Just to be real for a moment, I doubt there's a team in all of MLB...and their fans...who aren't saying 'if we're healthy" or "if this guy rebounds" or "If this guy can do it a second time" we can have a good/better pen. I'm actually very optimistic about the pen for 2025. I like the talent, and I like the mix, and I like the potential depth. You start with the best 8 you can put together. And you know you're going to need a good 12 because guys will get dinged, hurt, hurt for the season, have a bad half, or a bad year, etc. But you start with as much talent and depth as you can assemble. Right now, the Twins have a hell of a good start on that part of the equation. Duran, Jax, Stewart, Varland, Alcala, Sands, Topa, and Tonkin from the RH side. Henriquez, Canterino, Duarte, and potential surprise in prospect Adams making a conversion to the pen are additional options and depth. Heck, even Dobnak as an add, DFA, and then re-sign to St Paul is available as a temporary fill in option. Stewart's procedure wasn't major surgery, he feels great, he and the Twins both seem optimistic, so I am too. If he's only good for 30 IP, then I'll take them and bring someone up later in the year. You don't like Tonkin for only $1.5-7M? Fine. He can be cut any time. But he's been really solid as a middle man for 2yrs now and 160 IP with decent peripherals. He's not a setup man. He's a solid innings eater on the cheap to save the rest of the pen. We've already seen Varland be outstanding for 1-2 IP as a starter and from the pen. It's trying to go 4+ when things start to go bad. So why can't he develop in to an excellent pen arm? Why can't Sands be good, even with some regression? Why can't we count on Alcala and his stuff if he's not over used? Why can't Topa join Tonkin as a solid middle man if his knee is healthy? Obviously I'm going a little overboard here, but I'm just making a point. I don't want a LH or a pair of LH in the pen just because they are. I want one or two that are GOOD PITCHERS because having a lefty can be a real advantage at times. One of the TOP priorities for the FO this offseason, IMO, is to find a way to add just one good, solid, dependable LH arm that can hold his own against RH bats. Because there's going to be a big game when we really need to get a tough LH bat or two out in a crucial spot. So to me, it's not just a luxury. Fundeburk...who looked in 2023 like he might have that kind of potential, Headrick if he's converted to the pen, Moran if/when he's back 100% and ready to go, and maybe even someone like Nowlin are all depth pieces from the LH side that might rise to the occasion at some point in 2025, or at least be useful. The more arms, the more depth, the more possibilities you get it right and have a good, deep, dependable pen. I'm pretty optimistic about the pen, even without notions of Raya or Prielipp moving to the pen. Just please Mr Falvey, find that LH we can depend on and really need.

Matthews is ahead of him at the moment, and deservedly so. But he's ahead also in experience...slightly...with Morris missing some time early in 2023, but he's also about a year and a half older than Morris. That's not to downgrade Matthews at all, but rather, to indicate potentially even more development from Morris. Great tunneling, good contr, and 5 pitches is very intriguing. A little more time at AAA and a tweak to that change and he's probably ready for his ML debut. But let's hope there's no need until June/July for that to happen.

Not saying Torii is or isn't HOF worthy. And I appreciate all the positive and negative points made in the OP. But I immediately thought of another OF HOF player that was finishing up about the time Hunter was getting started: Harold Baines. Baines played a good 3 additional years and had 1000 more AB. As a result, he has more RBI and HR. He's also got a career OPS about 27 points higher. The OPS is hard to ignore in comparison. But if Hunter had another 1000 AB his counting stats would probably match Baines. But he almost exactly matches in R's and obviously has way more SB. Hunter has a career WAR 12 points higher and was a superior glove man. All I'm saying here is if Baines is a HOF player, and he and Hunter compare in these ways, should Hunter be a real consideration? Big fan of Hunter, and not saying he should or shouldn't be in the Hall. I'm just offering up a comparison to consider what I think is a similar player that is.

The FSL is notoriously rough on hitting and offense in general. Winokur had a .761 OPS as a 19 yo! And he finished stronger than he started. Tremendous power, above average speed, and athleticism that should allow him to be a good defensive player at several positions, though I doubt SS is one of them. Yes, he's rough around the edges and has to work on recognition and eliminate K's. Pretty sure that's common for for 19 you kids in pro ball. "Tantalizing" is definitely the right word. He's one of my favorite prospects because oh my, what he could be. Prospect rankings are about talent and potential. So being in the top 10 is appropriate.

Of course Raya was a given. Guess I'm not surprised by Adams. Velocity is up, slider is reportedly much better, and someone would have probably grabbed him for their pen. Probably pitch there for the Twins there sometime this season. I don't think Rosario is ready and he'd be hard to stash. This tells me Olivar is still a catcher mostly in name only and just not ready. Strong arm? Maybe. But 13% caught stealing isn't going to get it done. This time next year he might have to be protected, but not now. I've still got hope for Moran, but with questions about control AND coming off TJ, I'll bet he's safe. Macleod at AA and not throwing overly hard might keep him safe this go around. I'm a little worried about someone snagging Nowlin. A hard throwing lefty with good K numbers might be really tempting to someone to stash, even if he's not ready yet.