DocBauer

I've kinda had my eye on Matthews since he was signed. Love the length and the control. He gets that 3rd pitch down, and the velocity up a little bit, I think he's a possible #3 rotation piece. Certainly a back end one. Not a big SWR fan, though I wanted to be following 2022. He was rushed, IMO, beyond his readiness and also had his while 2021 messed up with the Olympics and trials and the such. He started to flash in 2022 and I thought we had a back end arm at the least. But the velocity is down after not being great to begin with and even his much better 2nd half in 2023, the BB were still high and the K per 9 still wasn't fantastic. Certainly not enough to offset the BB numbers. I haven't had time to watch the video on him yet. I will very soon as it's on my "to do" list. I'm hoping to be proven wrong in 2024 and he takes a big step forward. Crossing my fingers. Prospect rankings are generally based on potential and not simply "what have you done for me lately" numbers. By that account, Prielipp belongs somewhere in the top 20, IMO. There's just so much potential in his arm that it oozes and scouts and teammates and everyone who's ever seen him comments on it. If he hadn't come to camp last season with flowing reports about his velocity and stuff, I would completely remove him from the top 20. Probably from any top 30. But just knowing that arm talent is still there waiting, I have no problem with his ranking at this time, but understand those who disagree. I may change my opinion this time next year. But I'm confused about his latest surgery. The OP says it isn't TJ, but I am certain it was reported as TJ with the new brace they use. Take everything I just said about Prielipp and double it for Canterino. He HAS thrown at the pro level and has looked beyond good. I'd never advocate surgery for anyone if not really necessary. But as an outsider looking in, it appears he was done a disservice based on caution that has slowed his career projection. I think his TJ should have been done a season earlier. Regardless, he's supposedly healthy. He's throwing high 90's again. He's not old. It's really just a question of delaying his debut by continuing down the path of a SP...and I'm not saying they are wrong...or getting his ML career going ASAP with a move to the pen. I can see reasons for Canterino to be ranked even higher with his clean bill of health and seemingly close proximity to helping the club soon. I'd keep Olivar as a catcher for as long as possible. He's got a lot of work to do regarding the nuancesnof the position and especially throwing. But with his bat, he only needs to be solid/average behind the plate to be a factor. The Jamie Cameron OP about him today indicates he's an even better overall hitter than his slash line conveys. Better than league average in most all hitting categories in a tough league to hit in. Makes me think of a lesser Arraez with more speed and pop, or perhaps a young Polanco. He's a really good prospect if he can catch. Probably a solid/good prospect if an OF and the power continues to develop.

Definitely hard to rank accurately. There was a lot of talent on that team, it just didn't run deep and relied on a lot of role players. Though they did their job for sure. Everyone contributed and they beat teams that were considered "better". Considering the characters on that team, the number of home grown players, the mostly horrible seasons that transpired previously, and the final result, it's hard not to just love this team and rank them this high. But if we're really going to give weight to baseball romance and winning the WS, they should be #2 behind the 1991 team. If we just look at wins and losses and even a breakdown of even simple numbers...run differential just for an example...the '87 squad should be dropped down the list at least a handful of spots, despite winning the Minnesota Twins 1st championship. No matter what, it was a magical season. And I still remember shedding a couple tears when the final out came. So maybe we just play both sides of the aisles, consider record, the WS, and the baseball romance, and just say #3 is fine when you put it all together.

Hey Roger, He was 3-0 on SB in 2021. He was 5-5 on SB in 2022. And he was 12-1 on SB in 2023 per his Baseball Reference page.

Not to pour cold water on anyone's opinion, but in 2022 he played 11 games in CF and 9 in LF. In 2023 it was 3 games in CF and 36 games in LF. So I'm going to guess that is where they see him, OF wise, unless that was simply due to other CF options they preferred to watch play there. Forgetting handedness, his AVG, OB, strike zone control, etc, sort of has me thinking Arraez-lite with more pop and speed, or perhaps a Polanco type of bat? Very intriguing prospect. 22-23 at high A for 2024 isn't too bad, especially if he keeps hitting this way. Not uncommon for treams in the Midwest to start a little slow offensively and then heat up. Conversely, the Florida League has always been a tough place to hit. So wouldn't be surprised to see him start the upcoming season a little slow and then out produce his 2023 numbers. I'd keep him at catcher for as long as possible, hoping he can refine the nuances of the position. But 13% caught stealing won't cut it unless he's outstanding in other areas.

Not a big fan of a couple of those names, but also believe a couple of those names might not be on the 40 man much longer. I believe Canterino is going to help the Twins this season, maybe a lot. Staumont is worth the shot, depending on just how bad his injury was and how invasive thr surgery was. Having an option to get right is good. I've about given up on Balazovic, hard and surprising as that is to say. I have some optimism for Winder and his new sinker pairing with his slider, and for Sands and his excellent breaking ball IF his velocity can tick up a couple MPH without straightening out. Sitting and not pitching for 10-12 day stretches did him no favors last year. I think I'm higher on Severino than some. Totally understand the K rate is concerning, and potentially frightening once he is at the ML level. But he does take walks, and he actually hits, and hits for power, from both sides of the plate. That tells me he actually has an approach, an idea, of what to do at the plate. I think the Twins can work with that. Always supported Gordo. And this FO hates dropping depth about as much ad a root canal. But barring injury or multiple players moving in a deal, I just don't see room for him on the roster. I'm thinking a small deal for a team needed LH bat and OF versatility for a pen arm maybe.

There's a lot here to like here outside the top 20. Four catchers that offer something different. Questions about all four, but also some good things to work with and develop. Agree Ross could take a big jump this year and shows nice utility potential at the leat. I like Prato and think he's also in thr future mix for a bench spot, but I'm higher on the older Helman as he's just a perfect roster fit if his hit ability translates. Yes, if Miller can keep filling out and grow as a hitter, that glove is special. Really hoping 2024 is the year that we so many of the young Latin OF can all be healthy and take that big step forward. They're awfully young and have only been state side a year or so. So big opportunity for them. Why do I keep thinking Ohl just might be the 1st or 2nd arm up this season despite not yet hitting AAA ball? I think he might be on a rocket. Nowlin is one of my favorite arms to watch. Still only 22 and a lightening arm. I can see a really strong pen presence in his future, but I'd sure like to see that control get harnessed enough to stay a starter. Does Tanner Hall have maybe the best "rookie" debut of anyone this season if his velocity is up?

I've been an advocate for Gordon in the past, but the roster has been transitioning since about mid 2023 and is going to continue to do so. The FO despises letting depth go...almost to an extreme...but I'm having a hard time seeing a roster fit. While taking a flier on Bubba makes sense, I have a hunch if it came to crunch time, and they needed help instead of, or in addition to, Martin, I think Helman/Kiersey would be added to the 40 man and brought up first. Just don't have a lot.of confidence Bubba is ever going to hit ML pitching.

Yeah, thought it said he was 19. That's his birthday. I can be so silly sometimes.

Thank you! Tired or old eyes I don't know, but I read his birthdate of February 19th and thought it said he WAS 19. (Headap)

He turns 20yo February 2024 based on BF reporting. Still a very, very young prospect.

On the surface, the 2022 trades made sense. Unfortunately, the Twins got burned. Doesn't mean it was wrong at the time. Nobody has a crystal ball to see a TJ injury, or a personal/emotional issue, etc, etc. No matter what Petty does, or Arraez does, I'd say the Twins won both those trades...and the Odorizzi trade...unless Petty becomes a stud SP. You don't always win deals. But I tend to agree with your sentiment. Right now, I'm focused on the edges. Sign a reclamation project for the rotation for depth on a milb deal. Try to add one decent arm for the pen to compete and offer depth. Is there a RH bat that slips through the cracks to add? I know there are a lot of opinions that just winning the ALC and making the playoffs is not enough. And I get that. And I'm on board with that. But I also don't want to trade away a top 50 prospect, or 2 or 3, who might lead this already solid team and return this year and the next. Personally, despite not being a gambling man, I'd bet on Rodriguez figuring out how to be patent AND aggressive and would keep him, and Lee. I'd try hard to keep Festa and Raya, and try to trade from additional depth if I could, or run with what I have for now, again, adding to the edges. Did anyone see what Arizona did last year? Nope. I actually love about 90% of our team, with interesting depth. In his brief ML career, Varland had been solid to great in about every start except his last 3 last year. So because Rocco loves him as a BP option he shouldn't be a SP option again? Short sighted! MAYBE Celestino makes a difference. And he could easily in the pen. But I kinda understand pitting him in the rotation at St Paul initially. The FO has pulled a rabbit out of the hat multiple times with trades for Odorizzi, and Gray, and Lopez, If they can do that ONE MORE TIME with Polanco, Kepler, and/or prospects as they've done before, they will exceed aspirations yet again, and keep the structure if the pipeline of talent in play. If they don't, we're going to have to believe they have enough belief in their depth to make noise beyond the ALC in the playoffs and ramp up for 2025 and beyond.

I can't LOL harder than an emoji for this one!

I have tremendous respect for Ryan. He was a great scout, and helped build some very good rosters for the early 21st Century teams. I wish he had just spent a little more instead of being proud of what he built. I guess that was the old school part of him. But under his watch, the Twins had some really great teams in the early '00 that just SHOULD have done more in the playoffs. But he built those playoff teams. And you don't always win. But we wouldn't have been in those positions to win without him. Stelly was a respected coach for 32yrs before being let go. He helped the Twins win 2 WS and numerous division championships in his tenure. I guess, at some point, changes are always made. I doubt he had anything but great memories for his career. It's just sad the F'er that is cancer took his life before he could be enshrined. I hope his family takes great joy in his enrichment to the Twins HOF.

There's an awful lot to unpack here. First of all, full admission, projections had the Twins drafting Clark and I wanted that. I saw him as a pure CF. In retrospect, despite all I had read, I just missed the idea/conception that Jenkins was a legitimate CF option. I guess I just listened to too many "As he fills out" comments. And truth is, he's so young still, he COULD just NATURALLY grow and bulk up to force a move to a corner spot one day. But the kid is so well put together, and has so much natural power already, you almost want him to stop growing physically at this point, LOL. He reminds me so much of Royce Lewis in ability and attitude, and intelligence and attitude and faith it's wonderful. I'm so impressed by this kid not just because his debut was great, but because of his work ethic. I do have to object to speculation, however. We want to focus on Holliday, per the OP, but that's not really fair to do so. Hrbek exploded, as did Puckett and Mauer. We forget that WAY back in the day, Blyleven debuted as a teenager. With Hrbek, Puckett and Mauer, and even Buxton, the Twins HAVE HAD those early 20 year olds debut. But the whole Griffey and Gooden's and Harper's and a few others making a mark at 19 and 20/21 yo are unique. Some become HOF players...and some flame out. It's AWESOME if the Twins have another early 20's stud prospect who reaches MLB that soon. (Lewis would have if not for the knee injuries). But I would be ECSTATIC if Jenkins rose to AA for the last half of 2024 as a 20yo! It would put him on the cusp of reaching MLB in 2025 at some point as a 21yo! That would be outstanding! But I really hate projecting one kid vs another when everyone is different, and time will ultimately be the factor. Holliday might hit a wall, and Jenkins might break through that wall. Time will tell. If he debuts as a stud at 22yo, I certainly wouldn't hold it against him. I'm not a betting man. But I understand the law of averages. The Twins got really lucky with Lee and Jenkins both. The FO knows this. I would be SHOCKED if Lee is moved. And Jenkins is going nowhere except up. But if Jenkins isn't ready until 2025 or so, I'm not going to fret or worry.

Came across some rumors that Ryne Stanek is getting some looks as a bullpen option for some teams. And I confess to not knowing a lot about him, so I went and took a look see at his career. He's no closer. He's not even an ideal set up guy. He doesn't have a great WAR. But I find myself INTERESTED in him being a solid, inexpensive addition to the Twins pen. He was very good with TB in 2018. He was good with them in 2019 BEFORE being traded to Miami where he wasn't the rest of the year, or in 2020. And then Houston picked him up. He was excellent in 2021, really good in 2022, and then had a drop-off in 2023, but was still solid in hits per and K% per 9. His career BB per 9 is a little high at around 4 per. But his hits per 9 is solid. And his 10.5 K per 9 is quite good. He's still only 32yo and cost the Astros $3.6M in 2024. I understand debates about Varland to the pen, and what Canterino might bring in the near future. And I might be a little more optimistic about Alcala finally establishing himself than most. And, of course, there's at least some hope that Staumont might make a full recovery. But might Stanek be a really good move to add a proven arm to the pen to deepen the middle portion? I can't believe he'd cost more than a 1yr...maybe with an option and cheap buyout. Would he be a relatively inexpensive depth piece for the Twins to add before someone else grabs him? Or are the Twins better taking a pass and trusting in what they have?

And somewhere, he's probably listed as being the only Met to do so. Which is quite crazy when you reflect back on some of the amazing arms they had decades ago in the 60/70's era, and throughout the 80's and early 90's. My own personal opinion about the HOF is dominance at what you do for an extended period of time, and not just longevity or final total numbers. The Twins own Puckett and now Mauer are examples. Johan was basically dominate for 8 seasons, and e en still good in his 9th. In his time frame he was amongst the very best in all of MLB. I send no shade, but let's use someone like Sutton, for example. Now, he was very good and had a long career and won 300 games. But part of his career is due to being good to very good for a very long time. But he came up and threw in a very different era than Johan. But for almost a decade, Santana was amongst the best arms in MLB, in a very different era than Sutton. Now, I'm not saying Johan should be in the HOF. And, unfortunately, his career was cut short due to injury. But what I AM saying is that when he hit the ballot, it was a divisive time when many voters were still placing steroid players on their ballot, which had to dilute the field somewhat, especially when some ballots...to this day I might add...don't even fill out 10 names. IN, or not, his career deserved much more consideration than a 1 and done format. So I do like the idea of a minimum 2yr addition to consideration for the ballot for additional reflection and consideration. And again, IN, or not, if Wagner is still getting consideration but the nearly identical Nathan got washed out immediately. The 5yr wait is a good thing for reflection on a career and achievements. But I do think there is a flaw with a 1 and done format.

I believe you are referring to Ricardo Oliver. According to Baseball Reference, he's really more of a LF who has played CF. But still, that's a testament to the kid being a good and versatile athlete. Think about Winoker, our 3rd round pick this year. He's like 6'6" give or take an inch and is probably going to end up 200lbs or more. But he's been a SS in HS and the Twins had him split time there and the OF after making his debut. You always want to look for options and best fits for everyone, even if that sometimes keeping someone longer at a spot than maybe expected, just in case a light comes on. But I doubt Winoker sticks at SS much longer. Still, any time there could only help with a possible move to 3B or even 1B.

I think there's really 2 arguments here: 1] No matter how dominant in ERA, K%, and other statistics, a reliever/closer, even the very best, would have a hard time reaching 600-700 IP in 10 yeara, where a SP would more than double that in the same 10 years. A closer faces 1-5 batters per game usually, depending on circumstances. And they don't necessary face the heart of an order either. 2] On the other hand...the game had changed. The use of pens has changed. I remember when saving 20 games was considered really good. So our view of pens and closers must also change, just as they need to for SP. How hard is it going to be for a SP to get 300 Wins any longer? The way the game is played today, the role of a highly productive closer with a dominate career over a decade has to be placed in a different context than how it was viewed 20 years ago. And if you are going to add in Rivera, and then strongly consider Wagner, then you HAVE to give more weight to Nathan and his 10 year success and awards. Not saying one way or another closers should or should not be included. I'm simply saying there are 2 very different perspectives to view on the subject. Yes to Nathan IF you like the idea of adding closers to the HOF. Yes to having more than 1 and done on a ballot. Yes, Santana should still be on that ballot today.

Interesting, not much SS or CF until 2022 where he played those 2 spots almost exclusively for 56 and 12 games respectively. That tells me the athleticism is there to at least fill in at SS here and there, if necessary, and the ability to play some CF as well. Playing mostly 2B as a draft pick wouldn't be unexpected. It's a little easier to adapt to pro ball playing only a spot or two, IMO. But most milb players move around between a few different spots in order to gain experience in case they move, and to get everyone on the roster playing time at different positions as well. EXAMPLE: A catcher also playing some 1B and DH. I would expect him to split time between 2B/3B/CF in 2024, unless his arm just looks weak. The bat looks legit, hoping the power continues to play up. If it does he's a potential starting player. If not, might be a really good super utility option.

I agree 100% that the Twins should have catching as a priority in the system. I think they've done a pretty good job of it at the ML level with Castro and Vazquez and the development of Garver and Jeffers. Where I'm not sure they've hit the mark yet is the depth in the system. They've added a couple catchers here and there via inclusions in trades, but so far, Camargo has been the only one they might have hit on. By all accounts I've heard and read he's a good teammate, a solid game caller and defender with a pretty solid arm. And the bat has come alive the past 2yrs, but even with power, need to see some better contact before I'm wiling to believe he's anything more than a backup. Still, there's value in that. If you follow the milb system and draft closely, which I do, they haven't exactly ignored the position. But it's been a mixed bag so far. Other than Jeffers, they haven't selected a backstop any earlier than the 8th round since. And I'm not sure why. A] They've trusted in veterans like Castro and Vazquez while at the same time developing Garver and Jeffers, and are content with that while setting their sites on different areas at this time as a result. B] Perhaps as part of "A", they just haven't seen anyone in their draft positions worthy of a higher selection than the other position players and arms they've chosen instead. C] Much like their philosophy of mid round arms that can be developed, they believe catchers are "grown" and nurtured and taking "shots" at catchers early who have talent but question marks aren't worth the draft slot. Maybe it's a combination of all three. Chris Williams was an 8th round pick who is reported to be a smart receiver with a decent bat and power. But apparently doesn't have the arm, or something, to stick there, so he's turned in to a #3 type who primarily plays 1B/DH. Alex Isola was a late pick catcher who can hit, and finally developed power in 2023, but like Williams, seems to be more of a backup option who plays a lot of 1B/DH as well. Right now, they have Winkel coming off a solid 2023 season after being drafted in 2021. He's LH, seems to have plate discipline, a little pop, and is on the cusp of AAA only 2yrs after being drafted. But his bat needs to play up a little more, as does his arm. Noah Cardenas, selected one round before Winkel, is said to be a good catcher. So far, in his two seasons, he's an OK bat with an even better OB% than Winkel. Not much pop/power shown yet, but a better arm than Winkel so far when you look at CS%. And he might be ready for AA in 2024, maybe joining Winkel? And then you have Andrew Cossetti. If you ignore 1 game in 2022 after being drafted in the 11th round, he was a complete pro rookie in 2023. He obliterated pitching in low A for a third of the season before being promoted to Cedar Rapids at high A. While his numbers came down, he still hit, produced power, had a tremendous OB%, and an almost .900 OPS. He also had a CS of 27%. It's my understanding that despite the bat, and the quality CS%, there are rough edges in his game as a catcher. Despite being a professional rookie, he was sent to the AFL to work on his defense and gain experience. He showed poorly. But I don't give any weight to that. A few weeks late in the season against decent competition as a first year player he was sent just to learn and just put in some work. Between Camargo, Winkel, Cardenas, and Cossetti, there actually are some catcher prospects in the system that offer projection. And I'm not including Nate Baez who is a way better athlete than you normally see behind the plate, who is relatively new to being a full time backstop, who has had a couple minor injuries to begin his career and has limited experience so far, but has flashed a solid bat and OPS but a bad arm/CS so far, but who could surprise everyone with a big 2024 if his abilities and "potential" come together in 2024. The "system" isn't devoid of possibilities. There's actually a collection of backstops that offer real potential. But most all of them are a year or two away from MLB, with the outlier being Camargo. What I wish the Twins would do is similar to the NFL draft. IMO, every NFL team should draft a projectible QB every couple of years for depth, and future potential, and maybe provide a trade option. I wish the Twins would identify and draft a catcher every other year, who might have question marks, but snag them anyway. 20 rounds, draft all the SS and CF talent and projectional arms you can. But once in a while, just gamble and take that catcher risk that might turn out. But as it stands today, the Twins don't have any standout catching prospect. But there are actually some decent options who just might be ready to establish themselves in 2024.

With all due respect to Terry Ryan, who I still hold in high esteem, what this shows me is a stronger realization as to the importance of the catcher position by the current FO, and a stronger commitment to improving the spot. Castro was one of their first moves. Garver put in the work, but coach Sawyer gets a lot of credit for the work he put in to help Garver. Then they drafted Jeffers high and not only has he put in the work, but again, even with Sawyer now gone to the Yankees, his replacement...forget who at the moment...has continued to follow a growth path with development. And then the experienced Vazquez was brought in to give the Twins the same sort of Castro/Garver balance of veteran and younger catcher. I expect a roughly 60/40 split in 2024 of Jeffers/Vazquez. I wouldn't be surprised to see a little more life in Vazquez's bat next season with that split. And I know some are not Jeffers fans, and I don't know that we will ever agree. Being rather young, and missing some time with injury, his offense has been a bit up and down in his short career, but he's certainly flashed bat potential even before his excellent 2023. Personally, I think his overall game calling and defense are just fine. Even with some regression in 2024...and there's no guarantee he's actually going to regress...he can still be very productive. I guess some of us are going to have to agree to disagree about how good Jeffers is and might be.

Multiple Gold Gloves and Silver Slugger Awards. Usually you're lucky to have a catcher strong in just one of those areas, not both. Multiple All Star games, 3 time batching champ to boot. He was a generational talent and absolutely deserving to be in the HOF, and first ballot, IMO.

A Hoskins signing is akin to the Donaldson signing a few years ago. We can't find the right deal for an arm, let's upgrade the offense. Now, I might dispute that upgrade because there is hope for Buxton being better for 80-100 games, AND Correa healthy for the season. Add in a full season of Lewis, Wallner, and Julien...even with some speed bumps that will inevitably appear...I'm not entirely convinced offense is the issue. But I also believe you add as much talent as you can, and then figure out where to play everyone later. Hoskins wouldn't be signed for $15M to be a platoon player. That's ridiculous. He'd be at 1B or DH most days. But there IS a roster/lineup crunch if nobody is moved for other additions. Potentially, Buxton plays some at DH, if not on the IL.. If Polanco isn't moved, where do he and Julien play, along with Kiriloff? Kirilloff is a key here, and not Miranda as a potential platoon/part time player. Kirilloff's wrist surgery SEEMS to have alleviated his primary injury concern. For everyone who wants to beat down on his past injury concerns, let me repeat that he did NOT have any wrist injuries in 2023. In fact, he was a better HITTER and better OB batter than he had shown previously. And the power started to come as he felt more comfortable. For a couple of months, he was one of the best hitters in the lineup. Then he dove for a ball that hurt his shoulder. It's been reported that it wasn't a major injury, only a minor cleanup. So does the FO look to add a FA 1B/DH if they believe AK is going to be just fine? That's the crux of this discussion. If they believe Kirilloff's wrist injuries are behind him...and they appear to be...and he's going to be OK with this shoulder issue, then there is so room for Hoskins.

Just want to add to the discussion I've come around to adding Duvall as a veteran 4th OF, IF the numbers would work out when all is said and done. To me the question comes down to the FO, and everyone else involved in regard to how "ready" they think Martin is, and to a lesser extent, the non 40 man Michael Helman. Martin impressed with solid numbers at AAA, and finished strong. I object to the FO belief that Martin is a "natural" OF, but still somewhat limiting his OF time last year, 26 games in the OF and 39 in the INF. I understand keeping him in play for INF possibilities, but the half season in 2023 makes me want him to replicate what he did with the bat a little longer, continue to get comfortable at such a high level, and get a little more time in CF. The Twins like the late blooming Helman, but rightly didn't see the need to protect him. But he was an invite last year, and is so again this year. He's a RH version of Castro with more power. He raked at AAA last season despite having his year interrupted by injury. (Concussion and bruised shoulder). I maintain he would probably have played for the Twins in 2023 if not for the injuries, and I doubt Luplow would have ever been brought on board. It strikes me as strange that there are often so many inclusions of Keirsey in various OP and comments and nobody seems to remember Helman. He's not any kind of top prospect, but he has the "all around" kind of profile both offensively and defensively to be the kind of surprise addition Castro was last season. Now, he might tank. But he might be Castro part 2. And, potentially, he's a CF/super utility option that might allow Martin more time to get his total game "together" before being brought up. Again, how does the FO feel about the readiness of Martin or the addition of Helman? I'm guessing any financial boom from a new TV deal is too small, or too late to see Duvall as a solid addition, barring a surprise. So that leaves Hicks as an interesting option. He would only cost the league minimum, and a roster spot. (Unless his value continues to slide and he has to settle for a milb deal). And to be honest, I'm just not sure how much Hicks has left in the tank defensively. He was always solid and had a good arm. And I don't dismiss veteran ability to play CF, which he did for 37 games with the Orioles. But his bat certainly didn't play in NY the last few seasons. Even with 65 games in Baltimore, he was far better against LHP than RHP. But multiple seasons vs 65 games gives me pause he's any kind of answer. IF the Twins feel he's still solid defensively for another year, and IF they believe he can continue to hit well against LHP, he might be a cheap corner OF bat to sit Wallner or Kepler here and there, and platoon with Castro in CF when Buxton needs a rest or is out for a stint. I don't have a problem with him on a league minimum deal. As pointed out by other posters, he could be kicked to the curb if he just flatlines. I'd just like to think there might be better options on hand.

And I'm that guy for Michael Helman. Nothing against Prato, who I'm also interested in going forward, but Helman is my guy. I remain 100% convinced he would have seen time with the Twins last year and Luplow would never have been signed. I want Martin playing daily. That's why I like Helman as a super utility similar to Castro. Speed, some power, and the ability to play everywhere gives him a role. If I knew the Hicks that played for a couple months with the Orioles was the one we'd get, I'd be on board for a league minimum deal. Squeeze one more summer out of an experienced veteran who can at least hit LHP. I just don't know that I feel all that confident that's the player we'd be getting.