DocBauer

SSSS after only a handful of games for everyone, but just nice to have milb to follow and talk about! Emma and Rosario off to hot starts is good to see. A number of starts from the rotation have been solid to good. The only really bad bat to start to the season seems to be Severino. But it's still awfully early. I don't know what his future holds for the Twins...or anyone else ultimately...but it is fun to see Dobnak looking solid. We'll have a lot better feel for how things are shaping up May 1st.

So it sounds like Thielbar will be throwing for St Paul next couple of days, maybe Tuesday. If all goes well, he should be up in 7-10 days. I'm guessing Martin goes down so he can play daily again. Really frustrated at how Martin has been used so far. My opinion is, if he's up, PLAY HIM. Absolutely crazy to have 3 of your top 5 relievers out before the season begins, have Weiss on the IL already, then Staumont hurt...though he wasn't scheduled to make the initial roster...and now the surprisingly good Duarte down after 10 days. Assuming Thielbar is up soon, I'm still wondering who's next in line if something happens? Could Duarte be back really soon? Do they have to make a 60 day move if someone else goes down? Up un5il tonight when Jackson allowed a pair of solo shots, the pen has still been pretty darn good so far in SSS. But it's going to be hard to withstand much more.

I have tremendous respect for Bremer. In my world of Twins baseball, he's somewhat new to me as I spent decades as a radio listener with Carneal and Gordon and then Provus. Bremer was the guy I heard when I visited family in South Dakota and caught games on TV. When MLB on TV became available, I became a fan. While he's still part of the organization as a paid embassador, I think he still had some years left in him as the TV voice of the Twins. But I hesitate he was "done wrong". When I watched the final home game in 2023 with a cake that Morneau brought out, I think we all understood there was a potential change taking place. Unfortunately, things change. And the world of MLB broadcast is in a crazy, weird flux where NOBODY really understands what's going to happen. So with ALL DUE RESPECT to the great Dick Bremer, I can see a reason to move forward while giving him a nice golden parachute.

Every time I hear from both of these kids, or read quotes, I'm just more and more impressed by their knowledge and character and work ethic. Love the comment from Soto how he already recognizes how important leg work is for a pitcher for not only velocity, but endurance. I have Hall as a prospect to "click" in 2024, but I'm embarrassed to admit I had TOTALLY forgot about LHP Ross Dunn in the 10th round! And I always pay attention to LHP. Shame on me. The character and maturity of both of these young men impresses me as much of their talent does. But the reality of history and ability says a healthy Jenkins will BLOW BY A ball and finish 2024 in AA, even at the end of the season. But the "still new to being a full time pitcher " that is Soto will need more time as he commands pitches and LEARNS how to actually "pitch". His pure velocity and potential STUFF is intriguing, but he's going to need a couple years to find the "command" he needs to succeed. But he's amongst the best PURE ARMS the Twins the Twins have drafted in YEARS.

Really does make sense though, despite the humor involved, along with the Morris move. AAA isn't just about the last step for prospects, it's about depth options, rehab assignments, fliers that might turn out, re-sets when needed. But you also have to field a team. And when the parent club has injuries, and then on top of that, the AAA team has injuries, you have to make a few non relevant adds here and there. But while I'm expecting NOTHING, I admit to being SUPER INTRIGUED by the addition of the 1st Diego Cadtillo. Is there ANY CHANCE that he was available only due to poor mechanics and a poor spring? I know BP arms sometimes just DIE all of a sudden. But he's still only 30yo and has a 7yr track record of good to excellent. Might he be a steal that just needed a re-set?

ST PAUL: I agree on Keirsey as a great choice. The tools are there to play an excellent CF, steal some bases, and he's got some XB and occasional HR power. If the improvement he's shown the past couple of years as a HITTER are for real, he's almost a perfect backup for Buxton. While he's not a TOP prospect, he is still a prospect. Late bloomers who take a while to figure it out, or overcome injuries, or both, can still be solid contributors. Along those lines, I wouldn't fall asleep on Helman or Prato. Helman would have received a shot in 2023 if he didn't have a series of injury setbacks. He can play 7 spots and can do a bit of everything offensively. He's older, has less of a ceiling, but plays more spots than Martin does. NOT a shot against Martin, just listing who Helman is and his fit as a surprise. I also don't think anyone should sleep on Prato, who has a nice mix, potentially, of HIT and OB ability with some speed and the ability to play at least 3 spots. But I think Farmer sort of blocks him currently and he's got a better shot in 2025. (Dark horse to keep an eye on is Winkel at catcher) WICHITA: Love the Ben Ross selection. But fully on board with @Dman in regard to Cossetti. The bat looks legit, despite a poor AFL. But he was used intermittently, was there to work on defense, and might have been tiring a bit. But for the "catching prospect starved" fans out there, don't overlook fellow catcher Noah Cardenas. Torn between Ortega and McCusker as a NEXT option. Ortega has a LOT of at potential similar, to me, of former prospect CES, but probably a better glove. For whatever reasons, McCusker kind of washed out his 1st go round as a pro and was signed from the Independent Leagues. He saw a lot of ST game action and could be a late bloomer to watch. But on second thought, I'm going with Pierson Ohl as my #1! I was somewhat surprised he didn't get an invite to ST. He's got great control, solid secondary stuff, and has found mid 90's velocity. I will be disappointed if he isn't at AAA by mid season, building on what he did last year. CEDAR RAPIDS: Morris makes sense as it seems guys picked behind him got more press, but all he did was have a really solid season. But I might be looking at Misael Urbina suddenly putting it together and putting people on notice as a second option. My dark horse here is another catcher. Nate Baez. He played everywhere in college and had a solid bat with some power ability. He wasn't a full time catcher until his last season, so he's going to be rough around the edges still. Unfortunately, some minor injuries slowed his debut. But he's a way better athlete than you usually see from a backstop. He's got legitimate BAT potential. I'll go along with Morris, but I like my co #2 choices. FT MYERS: J Rodriguez is a great choice. No arguement there. But Tanner Hall is my #1 selection. With proven college production, great control, if he had more proven velocity he would have been selected higher than the 4th round. If the Twins have found a way to add more velocity over the past offseason with him, I can see him being a quick riser to A+. Despite all the arms above him, he MIGHT even sneak in to AA late in the season. He's a PITCHER who just needs a little more refinement and that extra OOMPH in velocity to be something good. He's my personal #1 at Ft Myers.

Beanie Baby Fraud? I just about spit out my lunch! Hilarious stuff!

One bad inning from Lopez, otherwise he was decent. Am I being a Homer, or did the ump call more close pitches for Bibee than Lopez? No disrespect for Bibee as he threw a really good game. The hitters just seemed disjointed as a collective. Jet lag? They need to shake it off and win the next couple and everything will be right again. My own personal quibble, I'm tired of the whole "all or nothing" comments. That's NOT the Twins approach. They have some decent hitters, a lot of power, and they actually walk quite a bit, though they didn't do a good enough job of any of that today. But "all or nothing" is not the plan or what's being taught. Despite games where Cleveland's "hit to contact" actually works, generally speaking, including last year, they are amongst the lower scoring teams around, at least in the AL. Take away 1 really awful start, and the Twins arms have done the job so far in this BRIEF season. A steady, every single day lineup doesn't usually happen much anymore. For anyone. Guys take days off, and you play match ups at times. But I do wonder if the best "basic" lineup against RHP as of NOW, with Lewis out, shouldn't include Kirilloff maybe hitting 3rd? I'm just crazy enough to suggest Castro in the #2 spot with speed and switch hitting ability? Or maybe Correa there, where he's hit a lot in his career, and then followed by AK, Buxton, and then Kepler as the top 4? Not complaining. Just spit balling a tweak to the LH/RH idea and take advantage of a healthy and hot Kirilloff a slot lower? 3 and 3 after 6 games played with 5 of those on the road and some solid pitching across the board except for 1 start. I think we're just fine so far.

First of all, it's really not uncommon for a milb starter to only go 4 IP...give or take...the first time or two on the mound. It's not a mandate, it's just normal to see as they're building up, and at times, it's about seeing other arms as well. We can talk about the number if IP and the number of pitches Raya has thrown on a per game basis and say he's been held back, bit he's also been promoted very aggressively. This means his stuff plays, they want to challenge him, but they want to protect a young arm that basically didn't pitch for 2yrs plus. Remember, most all baseball, college or HS, wad limited or eliminated in 2020. (Can't recall in Raya's case from memory). Regardless, he didn't throw after being drafted. Nobody did. Then he had a shoulder strain in 2021 so they rehabbed and he threw on the side. Soto is much larger, probably stronger, at the same relative age when drafted. And he still needs to work on mechanics not only for control, but to make sure he doesn't hurt himself at 18yo and probably still growing in to that large frame. But he's not sitting for 2yrs. So while the Twins aren't going to throw the door open and toss him 5-7 IP every game and plan on 140 IP plus, he's at least healthy and going to pitch. So there's a big difference between he and Raya in that regard. Will they still monitor pitch count and IP? I'm sure they will. But all teams with a rookie 18yo arm? With any kind of success, he'll probably grow from 3-4 innings to 4-6 innings after a few starts. But I also expect Raya's pitch count and IP to go up this season as well. So no, I don't think they are going to give Sota a "Marco Raya" treatment. They're going to give Soto his own treatment. Like they would any other HS rookie arm.

I never bought in to Miranda never playing 3B again. Saying he was viewed mostly/primarily as a 1B was general "coach speak". I mean, his shoulder was rehabbing, Lewis was at 3B, Lee was in the wings, and Castro and Farmer are available. If you can hit, they will find a place for you. Additionally, a Twins roster shuffle also affects the Saints roster, as does injuries to Lee and Larnach. So you need to be flexible with your roster. It sure would be nice if Keirsey can keep this up. He was drafted high for reasons. I can see him being important depth if his health and advancement continue.

I feel that Larnach has improved, but he's done so at such an incremental pace that he needs a big jump somehow, someway, to be considered any sort of lock for 2025 and beyond. But, IMO, he doesn't have to turn in to some 115OPS+ hitter to be valuable. Just...better than he is now. I can see him playing both OF corners and seeing time at DH next year against RHP. I can see him sharing LF with Martin as the primary even, who in turn shares some of CF with Buxton. Wallner goes to RF as the primary, of course. AK can also play a little corner OF, but I see hum as the primary 1B. The best young OF talent in the system is probably a year away. So there's definitely opportunity for Larnach, even if it's as a useful rotation player. Can he seize his opportunity finally by taking a step forward this year? I'm not 100% convinced Miranda is done at 3B. If his shoulder holds up, I can still see him being a fill in option there from time to time, but he's definitely, primarily, a 1B/DH going forward. Santana will be gone next year, AK and Julien...who still might play some 1B...are both LF. A return to form to his 2021-2022 level of production keeps Miranda in the Twins plans, and in the lineup most days. For now, his primary concern is Severino. If he's healthy and can outperform Severino, Miranda has a very good chance to be a fixture. But can he do those two things. In shirt, yes, their is still opportunity for both Larnach and Miranda. Though I think Miranda is the safer bet of the two, at least for the long haul.

No, most of the time, ST numbers really don't mean that much. Unless you're a fringe guy like Castro last year, or Duarte this year, looking for opportunity and grabbing hold of it. But just to be real, Duarte would be in AAA right now if not due to injuries. Not a knock on him, just reality. My philosophy has always been...not excluding the FO efforts this past offseason...to collect a group of arms and see what you can do with them. You end up with a Stewart and Thielbar, amongst others, if you do it right. But when you do it wrong, like the Twins did last year, you find a Hoffman who does great and you let him walk for inexplicable reasons, as they did last year. Duarte is 27yo, right at the perfect age where stuff and "game maturity/experience" happens with the right coaching where you might find something. But I do find it oddly interesting that with the 2 seamer coming back in to vogue, including with the Twins, that was the pitch they eliminated. Might they bring it back for him down the road? Was this maybe an attempt to find better control by limiting his arsenal? At least for now? He's healthy, throwing 96 and has a good slider. Right now, I have zero illusions he's going to reach anything close to set up reliability. I'd be ecstatic if he could just be reliable for an inning...maybe two...in the 5th-7th innings. Nothing more expected, or dreamed on, just throw solid stuff in the zone and help be part of the bridge to the later innings. If he can do that for a month or even two, the Twins did a good job with him. Anything more is gravy.

The bad news, you won in 2023 so you pick later, and the draft isn't nearly as deep as last year. The good news is you won, and you still have 5 of the top 100 picks with the 11th most $ to spend. It does seem that the college talent, while not as high end as last year, does have some depth. I'm assuming part of that is due to covid delayed entrances to the draft. I don't know if it's a reflection of draft strategies changing overall from teams, or the vast number of covid delayed college careers that have filled the past couple of drafts, but it feels like HS kids have been selected at a much lower rate overall. I expect the Twins to go college heavy with their picks, but, I have to wonder if they will take some of that 11th $ amount to sign a HS player or two over slot? For the 3rd year in a row, they come in to the draft with some ammunition and flexibility to make something happen.

Wichita looks pretty good, but Adams and McMahon need to step up their performance in 2024. They were selected 6th and 9th in 2021 so their experience is limited. But a ls older college arms, they need to begin making a move. The rotation looks good there. The offense has good potential. And I like seeing both Cardenas and Cosetti both there at catcher. Carson McCusker could be someone to watch. He's a big kid, 25yo, was signed out of the independent leagues by the Twins after falling out of pro ball. Lots of power potential. A late bloomer? This time last year I was worried about CR and all the youth they had. They really stepped forward! They look really strong to begin with, including a tremendous pitching staff that should see a bunch of guys promoted to AA at some point. Catcher Nate Baez is really intriguing, but injuries slowed his progress so far. Nice to see him at A+ to begin the year. TONS of potential there. And he's going to share time with part time OF Ricardo Oliver too. Gabriel Gonzalez and Keaschall should help pace the offense, but there's also De Andrade and Misael Urbina there. Can Jose Salas rebound after a horrific 2023? This has to be Cavaco's last shot doesn't it? Being in low A, Ft Myers is obviously the club with the least projectability as it's going to be HS kids, international signing kids, and a handful of college players making their debut. On the mound, there's some young talent, by my eyes are clearly on Soto and Tanner Hall right now. Soto is a smart, classy kid with a tremendous frame and TOP potential. Hall was one of the best all around pitchers in college when drafted, with great control, and pitching ability. He slipped in the draft due to velocity questions and didn't throw after being drafted. If he's added velocity, look for a quick rise in the system. When you have position players like Winokur, Chourio, and J Rodriguez it's hard not to get excited. But Walker Jenkins is in a whole different world. If his reportedly mild quad injury is good, look for him to be at CR by mid season, if not before. I don't think a cup of coffee at AA is out of the question. One thing that really interests me about Ft Myers in the upcoming season is the number of past international signings there, some who came via trade acquisition. Who steps forward in their 2nd and 3rd state-side seasons?

I am absolutely NOT throwing shade on anyone, including Clevinger. Nor anyone else. I am ONLY saying that as a sports fan of decades, one thing I've seen is that if you have the talent to PLAY, you usually get a "pass" of anything that's happened in your life. And while I think it's changed dramatically in the past few years, I think the NFL was more recently accepting of "we'll let it pass if you can play", versus other leagues. Again, I'm just projecting and spitballing here, but for ML teams to pass on Clevinger...and Bauer...just tells me there ARE personality issues if nothing else in play. And I'm going to leave it at that.

I think there's a difference related to the depth based on someone coming up TOMORROW, vs the Twins rotation actually having some "lucky" good health for a couple of months. (Goodness knows they're overdue right now to have some health luck after the past 2 weeks!) BTW, do we take ANYTHING away from Festa starting game 1 for the Saints? Or is that just how things laid out coming off their ST? I think SWR and Headrick are #1A and 1B as of NOW. It's easy to say EVERYONE really needs a month to get in a groove, but it's true. These guys have thrown at the ML level at least. I'm completely torn as to SWR's potential based on youth, weird handling of his career, and up and down results. BUT, if the increased velocity is for real, with his change, and SUPPOSEDLY good "STUFF +", you have to be encouraged about back end starter potential at worst. I don't think his going to milb camp early is a negative. He needed to get ramped up, continue to work on his stuff, and he wasn't going to break camp barring a major injury. I, and I think most of us, forget Headrick is "young" experience wise. I believe he had about a half season of AA ball in 2022 before being added to the 40 man. From there it was ST, and a jump to MLB and AAA and riding the shuttle all of 2023. It feels like he never got a chance to just settle in last year. What I saw in 2023 was a tall LH arm that threw some solid stuff, but was very inconsistent. Not surprising considering lack of experience. My gut feeling says he ends up in the pen eventually, but that doesn't mean now, or that he can't be a solid ML SP. A good start to 2024 is good for his trajectory. To me, NOW, the #3 guy is probably Dobnak. And I really don't understand the push back on him. He wasn't just a "good story". He actually threw decently, kept the Twins in games, won some games, and seemed like a fairly decent #5 starter with #4 potential if he could just put guys away quicker in counts. He didn't have to turn in to a K machine type of arm, just find a way to put guys away sooner. He was nothing special, to be sure. But through 19 games and 15 starts between 2019 and the abbreviated 2020 seasons he was 8-5 with an OK ERA and modest 6K per 9 and about a 1.30 WHIP. Then the finger injury happened as his career nosedived for the 3 seasons or so, with a bit of promise showing through in 2023. He's reportedly working on a new change to add to his repertoire. At 29yo and supposedly healthy again, is it that hard to see him as a 5 IP 5th starter call up if injuries hit? Festa is the best of the bunch based on talent and potential and results, especially if the reports of him working hard to just gain a little more strength and endurance are to be believed. Hopefully, continued hard work and natural maturity will continue to add strength and endurance to his tall and long frame. Because the STUFF is there! But I'd bet the Festa come June 1st is different than the Festa who had an OK debut a few days ago. No question he's the #1 GUY, but he probably isn't the #1 promotion guy for now, beyond the 40 man. BUT, if you want to take a moment to look at the 2nd half of the season...if not earlier...then pay attention to Pierson Ohl, who've I've commented on previously and @nicksaviking commented on. Drafted in the much discussed 2021 class, in the 14th round, he's been borderline outstanding. He was solid as a rookie in 2022 at Ft Myers. He began 2023 in Cedar Rapids and was pretty solid again. And then he was jumped to AA Wichita for about 2/3 of a season. Once there, his ERA and WHIP both dropped. It's been reported that he's been throwing in the mid 90's now. He's supposed to have a good change along with good control. I was slightly surprised he wasn't included as an invite to SP. Maybe not wanting to ask too much too soon? Again, as I've said before, don't sleep on him. With all due reference to other prospects, I see a mid year jump, if not soon sooner, to St Paul. I wouldn't be shocked if he and Festa weren't the top SP options come August.

I want to be clear before I say anything else that I'm NOT a downer or non believer in Martin. And I congratulate him on making his pro debut! If Lee wasn't hurt, the Twins would have found a way to make room for him as he's the EASY choice with Lewis out. Probably Weiss to the 60 day IL? With Lee a non option at the moment, I honestly believe if the Twins had an EASY 60 day IL sitting in front of them...and they really don't this early in the season...I think they would have added Helman and brought him up. Why? Two reasons: 1] They Ike Helman...and that's been proven by consecutive ST invites, as well as playing him almost daily this ST, and keeping him until late...because he's more than proven himself at AAA, has a nice mix of power and speed, can hit and get OB some...not yet proven at the ML level...and can literally play 7 spots. 2] Even if they like Helman, they aren't as concerned about his future development as they are with Martin. Helman could play all over, get his 1st ML shot, and Martin could work at St Paul for a month or two to refine his game and get ready for HIS 1st opportunity. But alas, injuries and roster construction and limitations didn't make this a logical move. Martin was the correct move for NOW, based on many factors. AGAIN, I'm NOT down on Martin. I'm just not sure he's fully ready, or that this is the right TIME for him. Once the Jays completely blew his debut by throwing him in at AA and at SS, the Twins didn't have a lot of choice but to put him at AA and SS when they initially acquired him. I DO THINK the Twins were wrong to continue playing him at SS come the next season, 2022, despite their idea that more time at SS would only assist his development in the dirt with future ability at 2B and 3B. I get it, I just think it was wrong. The whole "swing and miss and look for power" is COMPLETELY wrong and MISCONSTRUED. The Twins NEVER tried to turn Arraez in to a power hitter, for example. And the Twins NEVER said they were trying to turn Martin in to a 30 HR slugger. And anyone who wants to continue to bang that drum is just misguided and will never change their opinion. What the Twins were TRYING to do, was take a young, talented, athletic player who could HIT, and see if they could amp up his power some to be a big doubles and double digit HR threat. EVERY TEAM in MLB tries to find power in their players where they can because power plays, and it always has. If you can hit, have contact ability, and can work the count, but can't do anything more than punch a few hits here and there, you have Ben Revere. ML pitchers will eat you alive! Now, physical maturity, experience, taking from what he tried, and doing now of what he knew, Martin had a hell of an AFL after the 2022 season. He hit, he got on base, and he stroked 6 Dbls and 1 HR for a SLG % of .482. Very good in a SSS. His elbow injury put him on the shelf for over half of 2023. When he was healthy and ready to go, he hit .263 at St Paul, but maintained a really good .387 OB%, meaning he has an understanding of the ZONE. He also hit 11 Dbls and 6 HR...his college has was 10...for a AAA SLG% of .405. That PLAYS if you can HIT, work the count for a good OB%, and provide double power and occasional HR power. I think Martin was on course to build on his AFL production and THIRD-ish of a 2023 season. But I think he just really needed a couple of months to really get his offensive game together before he was brought up to be READY. I think Rocco will use him in the smartest ways possible. And MAYBE he'll play some LF/CF/2B and PH and PR so well he will stick, or be damn hard to send down like Julien and Wallner last year, and then come back again. I HOPE that's the case. Right now, it feels like he's been brought up a month or two early.. But he's the logical choice for now. He'll get opportunities at LF/CF/2B, Let's hope he's ready to rake and forces the Twins to keep him up, or forces regret to send him down before coming back again like we saw in 2023 with Julien and Wallner

Only a little over 30yo and SEVEN good to very good ML seasons CONSECUTIVELY and suddenly he's out of a job after a poor spring and available on a milb? You take that flier all day long! If his issue is health related, you move on. If it's mechanical, he has a good chance to be a real help. Absolutely no risk and potential high reward on a milb deal.

Pretty much what I expected, except for some injuries shuffling things a bit. Camargo and Winkle are the primary catchers. Williams and Isola are 1B/DH who can and will catch here and there. Severino will play plenty of 1B himself, but I also expect him to still see time at 3B and maybe 2B as well since he's apparently slimmed down since last year. Can he continue to hit and occasionally walk to go along with all that power? I still expect to see Miranda play a little 3B here and there, as long as his shoulder is OK. Prato will play LF/3B/2B for sure. Will have to see about any other spots. Lee plays 3 spots when he's with St Paul, and even with the Twins. What a bad time to get hurt! Right when opportunity is ready to pound at his door! Will Holland played over twice as much OF in 2023 than he did SS and 2B combined, but he can still play the INF. And right now, they need him to. Honestly, I thought he had a better chance of being released than beginning the year at AAA. I think we all know Martin is more of an OF than 2B going forward, no matter how he's listed here. Helman can literally play anywhere but catcher, and probably will. He can also do everything offensively. It's just a question of doing it at the ML level if/when he gets his shot. Kerisey is a true CF, but might see time in the corners as well. He's got some potential at the ML level still, provided the improvement he showed last season was for real. Yoyner Fajardo might not be a top prospect, but he had a surprisingly nice 2023 at Wichita. Not sure how many people have really looked at his numbers. He's flying under the radar, and should...at the least...help the Saints. Poor Larnach. He has a solid end to 2023 and a solid ST and then he gets hurt right when the season starts. I don't know if this year is a make or break for his career, but it sure could have a big impact on what 2025 brings. The rotation looks really different if Varland was there still. But it's not a bad rotation. But here's hoping NONE OF THEM are needed until July 1st at the earliest. That means the Twins rotation is healthy and performing. And that means more time for SWR, Festa, Headrick, etc, to prove themselves more and round in to good shape to be ready to contribute. After a solid 1/3 of a season for Cedar Rapids, and an even better 2/3 of a season at Wichita, I really thought Pierson Ohl might begin the year at St Paul. He's my pick for early promotion, and I'd be surprised/disappointed if he's not up before mid season. Not sure what to make of the pen, as it's constructed now. About a week ago, we would have seen Alcala, Duarte, and Funderburk as possibles to begin the season. Same with Staumont working to get his control back. But three of those guys are with the Twins, Staumont is hurt, as is Winder. Does Weiss have options left anyone know? I know he's hurt right now, but I'm just wondering if he has any options remaining for when he's back on the mound again. The AAA pen would have been quite a bit different 10 days ago. VERY intrigued about Diego Castillo. Seven consecutive years of good to excellent pitching from the pen and he's suddenly available on a milb deal? If it's a mechanical issue, we might have gotten a hell of a steal. Sold team. Definitely some things to be excited about, and a mix of really good prospects, solid prospects, and a handful of late bloomers who might help. The Saints should be good again. But again, this team looks even better and deeper 7-10 days ago.

Expected. Here's hoping both are healthy and ready to throw by mid season.

MARTIN: Definitely a ML ballplayer. How good he might be is still open for debate. Agreed, is he a super utility or a starting player? Or could he actually be both? He's probably getting his shot early in 2024 with the Royce injury today. LEE: Is he going to be really good, or great? He's the perfect add to fill in for Royce, but alas, he tweaked his back in the last game. SEVERINO: Apparently, he shed quite a bit of weight this offseason and came in in great shape. Maybe that means he can continue to play 3B and some 2B? Love the power and equal splits from both sides of the plate. I think his debut is 2025. Just too many options ahead of him right now. CAMARGO: I can't believe Jeffers and Vazquez will be 100% again for an entire season. Big power, good arm, reportedly solid behind the plate. He'll debut at some point. Hopefully he won't be needed a lot. RODRIGUEZ: This is the year where we find out if he can still be patient, but also HIT. He seems almost too patient/passive at times. But 2025 seems about right to me. FESTA: He's probably up at some point, but he's PROBABLY behind both SWR and Headrick right now due to experience. That might change come June/July. I think he's exciting! CANTERINO: I just think this latest setback...not serious I don't believe...might just mean it's time to give up on the dream of him in the rotation. Like Duran, time to move him to the pen. July/August if he can stay healthy? RAYA, GRACE, LEWIS, and OHL: Very unlikely. Raya needs to build up. Lewis just needs more time. Grace has a small shot, and I'm very intrigued, but the number of available arms tells me "not yet". Ohl might have the best shot here. Now that he's developed consistent mid 90's velocity along with control and good secondary stuff, I'm seeing him as an option later in the 2nd half of the year. He might be a big surprise this year. HELMAN, KEIRSEY, PRATO and WILLIAMS: The Twins obviously like Helman. He's a RH Castro. A couple injuries too deep for the 40 man, I can see him up. Prato is not quite as versatile as Helman. Not quite as much power. But the HIT and OB tools look interesting. But I don't see him until 2025 simply due to Castro, Farmer, Martin, Lee, and maybe Helman currently ahead of him. But he's the kind of versatile, do it all kind of player that might force his way on to a roster soon, especially with some inevitable roster shuffling next year. If Keirsey's bat from 2023 can translate to AAA, he's got a shot based on his speed and defense. But right now, he's got to prove himself at AAA, and he's behind Buxton, Margot, and Martin. I think Williams best shot was 2023 when Gallo struggled so much. He's a 4th catcher at best, and 1B may be too stacked. JENSEN and LAWYERSON: Jensen is a complete rebuild. He throws hard, was a former top pick, and is still relatively young. But he's got to find some semblance of control because he doesn't have any right now. Lawyerson was a major disappointment in 2023. I actually thought he might force his way up in 2023 at some point. Didn't happen. He's got a lot of arms ahead of him right now. This is a big year for him. Some of the "dark horses" and non roster players are legitimate prospects who's time will come, and some are late bloomers. Not all will make it, or even get a cup of coffee. A couple might have a better shot moving on after this season. But that doesn't mean there isn't some talent in those late bloomers! A healthy Twins roster this year and next is potentially pretty stacked. But we need look no further than Castro to see that when opportunity arises, and you have ability, when you get your shot, just perform the best you can.

(THROWS ARMS UP DISGUST) WTH?! We come in to camp almost 100% healthy and pretty much everyone is MOSTLY good until the last 2 weeks and suddenly Duran, Thielbar, (I know he was hurt early), and Topa all begin on the IL. And now Royce hurts a quad running the bases in the first game?! Why, oh why, do the baseball gods pick on the Twins of all the 30 available teams? I feel as bad for Royce as I do the team. And we can't bring up Lee, because he tweaked his back the last game. (Heavy sigh) I think Martin is the logical choice to come up. He play some 2B, as well as LF/CF and I'd play Castro at 3B most days. Keep Farmer in his role.

Not currently a Caretaker, but that doesn't mean I don't have opinions on the current roster. ROTATION: Unless I'm mistaken, all of Ryan, Ober, Paddack, and Varland have spent the offseason and ST working on new or adjusted pitches. (My memory doesn't recall anything specific from Lopez at the moment). And because of experimentation, it's why I'm not concerned about ST results from individual games or final results. I like this rotation very much and am pretty confident it's going to be very good. There is mild concern regarding Paddack's IP total and how it's regulated, but depth is really my only concern. SWR looked much better this ST, and reports are good. I haven't given up on Headrick as a viable option after jumping to a split season in 2023 of AAA and MLB after about a half season of AA in 2022. Festa appears to have the stuff to be a legitimate prospect. But that depth plays up a lot better come June if the primary 5 can avoid injury of any sort until then. BULLPEN: Losing 3 of the projected top 5 arms here to begin the season flat out stinks! There's no way to sugar coat it. HOWEVER, I think the depth assembled to form the opening day group still offers optimism they can be serviceable and "hang in there" until the missing 3 are back. THANKFULLY, we're talking minor injuries and nothing of significance. While you obviously need more than 8 arms for a season, you need to feel relatively comfortable being about 12 deep. If you take the 8 arms on the opening day roster, then add in the missing 3, then add Staumont taking some time to harness his control, (the velocity seems to be back), and then add in a hopeful return of Winder in the not too distant future, potential contributions of Weiss in the same regard, and the other arms sitting at AAA that can be turned to if and when needed, I see 12 options to have at least some faith in, plus additional options at the Twins disposal. As long as the injury fates are done having fun with the Twins, the pen CAN be a strength. OFFENSE/LINEUP: The way this team is constructed, they SHOULD be amongst the best run producing units in the AL, even with some regression from Lewis, Wallner, and Julien. And there's good depth on the roster, as well as at AAA, including a few guys not even on the 40 man at this time. Catcher: I'm a fan and believer in Jeffers. I think the hard work Vazquez has put in this offseason will see his production rise, at least somewhat. Jeffers can improve in some areas, still regress from an amazing 2023 OPS, and can STILL BE one of the most productive catchers in the league. Last year the duo provided 28 Dbls, a couple Trips, 20 HR and 75 RBI. One up a little, one down a little, I'd like to expect something similar in 2024. Behind them, there's the solid and intriguing Camargo. After that, if necessary...sure hope not...is the journeyman O'Keefe...not much to report there other than some OK career milb numbers...maybe Williams, and the prospect Winkel who the team seams high on. Infield: We all the primary starting 3. Correa is a stud who's healthy again and amongst in all MLB at SS. Lewis is a team MVP in the making, is special, and might win a league MVP one day. Julien is going to be very good, if not a star. I honestly believe Kirilloff is ready to make a statement this year. His wrist issues appear behind him. We've seen how good he can be in stretches. Again, I don't place a great deal of emphasis on ST results, but he had a good one. That seems to indicate his wrist is STILL sound, and his shoulder injury is behind him. With all due respect to Carlos Santana...who's had a good spring, FWIW...I don't place a lot of faith in a 38yo coming off his 1st solid season in about 3yrs, even though he was still pretty mediocre from the LH side of the plate. I like his glove, his experience, his leadership, and his ability to produce against LHP as a member of the lineup and as a PH. I'm FINE with him in that role, probably starting a few games against RHP. But if AK is what I think he's going to be, he's going to grabbing a bunch of starts at 1B against RHP instead of DH-ing not only for this year, but the future. Farmer is a tremdous teammate, a solid glove man across the INF, at least a quasi-platoon at 2B with Julien, and an OK bat against RHP who does really well against LHP. It seems Castro is ALWAYS included as an OF, but I watched him in the INF a ton last season, watched him play some INF in ST games this year, and he's a fine INF. And Lee is waiting in the wings. So is Miranda as a 1B, maybe 3B, DH, and PH. Severino might be an option as the same at some point. I wouldn't fall asleep on Prato, or Helman, as potential help if injuries hit. Outfield: Wallner will probably always be a bit streaky. But he's got a good eye, hits solidly, has tremendous power, has a cannon for an arm, runs/moves well for a big guy, and has shown some improvement defensively. I was actually surprised when I heard recently how few games he's actually played in LF until last year. A healthy Buxton is a STUD and team and league MVP challenger. But no matter how AMAZINGLY good he feels right now...best in years...history simply states he's going to be injured at some point. Now that he plays wall collisions with overt intelligence...we hope...and realizes that diving for every possible big defensive play with overt intelligence it may not be worth it...we hope...his previous hip injuries were a result of compensating for his knee. SUPPOSEDLY, his post 2022 clean up procedure fixed that knee. And then came 2023 and the cluster that it was. I'm not a medical expert, far from it, but I remain baffled how NOBODY saw the plica as being a detriment to his health and career. I understand you don't cut in to someone or remove something unless it's really deemed necessary, BUT, it appears, at least early, that that additional procedure has really made a difference. Considering how good Byron feels, how optimistic he and the staff are, I'm going to assume he's going to be good for 80-100 games in CF with regular rest either sitting down here and there, or DH-ing another 20 games or so. Mitigating his play is important. When he's hurt, don't play games, put him on the IL to get right. He might SURPRISE himself, the Twins, and everyone else and be healthy enough for 100 games in CF! But let's just plan on 80 there and another 20 or so at DH for a half day rest. He's a difference maker. I don't mean to sound condescending, but I think Kepler FINALLY reached a certain maturity level of baseball intelligence where he FINALLLY realized he didn't have to be "perfect". I honestly believe Max was so concerned about making contact and simply "trying" to get a hit that he didn't realize poor contact was a BAD THING. When the switch turned on in 2023, he sacrificed contact and had more K's than he was "used to" and just stroked the ball harder. And suddenly he was the potential All Star caliber hitter a lot of us fans always believed he could be. Now, there was probably some unsustainable BABIP involved, but that doesn't diminish what he he did last season. IF he doesn't get in his own head, and just does what he did from about mid June to July, he's a major producer for the Twins in 2024. He was sad to see teammate and hotel buddy and friend Polanco go. He was happily surprised to remain a Twin for now. POTENTIALLY, he could have some serious value on the FA market next offseason. My concern for NOW is what he does as a member of the 2024 Twins. But I have to wonder if talent/production and mutual heartstrings MIGHT bring about an extension even though the 2025 payroll is an UTTER MYSTERY at this point. Castro is as good of an OF depth piece as he is an INF piece. He's a very good LF, a decent CF option, and with a solid arm, probably a solid RF option, but I'd expect Wallner there instead most days. Margot had a poor ST. Do we honestly care? He's a 29yo veteran who's been a semi-regular in his career. He's a solid, at times great, defensive player across the OF, and a viable CF option a notch below Buxton and Taylor. But a notch below them isn't bad. And career wise, he's actually a better HITTER and OB producer than Taylor. Depth wise beyond Castro and Margot, we have Larnach and Martin. While I still have belief the best thing that could happen for Larnach is being part of a trade to someone who would help the Twins for this season and beyond, I maintain he's a solid glove with 20 HR and 30 Dbl power if given enough opportunity. But he's sitting at St Paul for now. You could do worse for depth. And if NOT traded, I continue to say he could use 2024 to adjust and learn and improve and be part of 2025 as a part time OF and DH. It's really great that Martin could play some 2B and 3B if needed due to injuries or an extra inning game. But can we just stop the nonsense? Martin is an OF now period! The fact that he can potentially play SOME 2B/3B is great if we get to some extra inning game. We have enough INF depth and talent that its ridiculous to see Martin as anything more than a LF/CF. Beyond Martin, as previously mentioned, Helman and Keirsey are possible non roster options if things turn south. I don't expect that to happen, but it sometimes does. Honestly, with the bullpen holding their own for a month or so, my ONLY question about this season is the rotation depth.

I think the Smalley com is very interesting, and probably pretty close. While Lee doesn't have as much foot speed as Polanco, he's got the stronger arm. But hitting wise, I can see an easy comp between the two. And I'd be happy if Lee put up the same numbers as Polanco, just more OF THEM by simply being healthier. But then again, to be fair, a healthier Polanco probably puts up higher career numbers than he has to this point. So yeah, sign me up for production similar to either exaple.

With no further injuries, I see a solid pen that can stay afloat for the first month or so. Longer than that, yeah, I'm going to worry. But this pen healthy again in about a month? Yep, could be really, really strong. If there's a silver lining at all, it's that of the Twins top 4 pen arms, what are probably arms #2 and #3 are healthy and ready to go. Hard to believe considering some of the Twins poor luck with injuries, but it could have been worse. Plus, none of the injuries appear to be serious or long term. The Twins' coaching staff is a lot smarter and more informed than I am, but for the short term, I think I'd keep Jax in the set up role he's used to, knowing he can occasionally go more than a single inning. With Stewart as the temporary closer, I think you monitor his innings better in that ONE INNING role. And really, I rate them about even in stuff and ability. So Jax staying in his usual role just makes more sense to me.