EGFTShaw

I'm with Doc here, " I think not spending huge on your pen is a smart idea". I think we have a good core for the BP. The Mets kept the best one off the market, but they will end up paying for the length of that contract in the end. I kind of hope not, because I love his entrance. :) That said, I am not sure there is anyone out there I would spend money on right now. You are not going to get an AWESOME RP for $3-5M. AND, I can't see spending more than that unless it was a two-year deal for one of the best. I think, to quote The Who, "The Kids Are Alright".

I started out thinking I like this, but then got to Rodon. First, we aren't getting him for $21M. Not because he deserves more, but as lefty with 2 back-to-back really good years there will be a bidding contest. Also, a $15-$20M+ starting pitcher normally is not going to be the Shut Down Ace you are looking for in a team with pitching lined up from #2 on down. I'd rather see DeGromm than Rodon. I think my offseason chart had us at around $160M. A 3-year/$120M deal for DeGromm (if it goes bad, you're not burdened with too many extra years hanging around your neck. A $40M/year deal for C4. I looked at a similar SS in size and age as C4 and looked at results over the next 10 years. There is a very good comparison to be made with C4 and Cal Ripken, Jr. Leadership, size, BA, WAR leading up to their age 28 season, etc... I do like the idea of Trey Mancini. Never thought of him as a RH OF option. Also, Ryan is my #2 with everyone else sliding down a slot and the #5 is between Ober/Maeda with the edge going to Ober to start the season. Typically, it is year 2 after the TJ that a pitcher returns to complete form.

Too funny...LOL

NBA still does. Never quite understood that tho.

One price and we can interchange all of them.

Going Paul Bunyon Big (dreaming) bec I don't want to be a AAAA Team C4 7yrs $275M (front load if possible) DeGrom 3yrs $120M (risk but only guy I know that can really be a SHUT done that is available. Not sold on Rodon even though I like him) Trade Kepler and Urshela. Jose "Read my Rights" Miranda gets 3rd base. Matt "Up Against The" Wallner gets RF Backup C goes to Andrew Bechtold just because I am NOT sold on any options, I can see available, and he can play 3rd base. Maeda takes the SP and Ober drops to RP. Final 2 RP are Henrique and Winder. Caveats: 1) Does not take into account injuries, but assumes all players listed will be 100% healthy for Spring Training. 2) I completely understand the Twins, (and owners), have NEVER even contemplated this before. 3) I realize that the money spent on C4 and DeGrom could easily be spread amongst loads of other average players, but I do NOT want and team full of average players. I want players who want to be called on when the team needs them. 4) Assume as well that, the contracts of C4 and DeGrom could possibly be traded if things go south. If the Rangers could trade A-Rod (and his PEDs) then Twins can trade C4. Yes, it may mean paying a portion of the salary. I asked a poster yesterday for options and so I feel I should go out on the Limb and risk getting roasted as well LOL C: Ryan Jeffers ($0.70M) 1B: Luis Arraez ($4.50M) 2B: Jorge Polanco ($7.50M) 3B: Jose Miranda ($0.7M) SS: Carlos Correa ($40M) LF: Alex Kirilloff ($0.70M) CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M) RF: Matt Wallner ($0.7M) DH: Jose Miranda ($0.70M) 4th OF: Kyle Garlick ($0.70M) Utility: Nick Gordon ($0.70M) Utility: Gilberto Celestino ($0.70M) Backup C: Andrew Bechtold ($0.7M) SP1: Jacob DeGrom ($40M) SP2: Sonny Gray ($12M) SP3: Tyler Mahle ($8M) SP4: Joe Ryan ($0.70M) SP5: Kenta Maeda ($9M) RP: Jhoan Duran ($0.70M) RP: Jorge Lopez ($3.00M) RP: Griffin Jax ($0.70M) RP: Jorge Alcala ($1.0M) RP: Caleb Thielbar ($2.00M) RP: Bailey Ober ($0.7M) RP: Josh Winder ($0.70M) RP: Ronnie Henriquez ($0.70M) Payroll is 8.20% over budget

>>Regardless, there’s no way that the Twins can be more injury-plagued in 2023, right? You Bastard, You Killed Kenny. Dear god I hope not.

What about Bobby Bonilla's contract with the Mets. Free ESPN publicity each July

This is a baseball version of my hockey trades. Player XX, (in my case the Capitals play by play guy) for a bucket of hockey pucks...maybe even frozen ones... LOL

I am running from the Padres as fast a healthy Byron Buxton chasing down a deep fly ball can... LOL I am not sold on Paddock. Also, not sure who got the worst end of that deal. LOL

I like Ober, a lot. Like Ryan I feel there is more there. But I would trade him for Woodruff. Just like I like the Perry pick in the draft, but 100% in trading him for Gray. Proven quantity vs potential. I like our pitching options, Gray, Mahle, Maeda, Ryan, Ober at the moment. But you are always one odd injury to a pitcher away from disaster. AND most importantly, none of these have proven that they are the shutdown type of guy you want as your #1. The guy who can stop a losing streak. The guy you want out there in Game 1 of a playoff. Maeda showed some of this, but one shortened season is not proven. I think Ryan may get there as he has the right mentality. Needs a killer pitch like change-up like Johan. AND I really do not buy into this 5-6 inning/twice through order stuff for my Ace. He needs to be able to 7+ when he is rolling in the proper context of pitch counts.

C: Ryan Jeffers ($0.70M) 1B: Luis Arraez ($4.50M) 2B: Jorge Polanco ($7.50M) 3B: Gio Urshela ($9.00M) SS: Carlos Correa ($40M) LF: Alex Kirilloff ($0.70M) CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M) RF: Max Kepler ($8.50M) DH: Jose Miranda ($0.70M) 4th OF: Kyle Garlick ($0.70M) Utility: Nick Gordon ($0.70M) Utility: Gilberto Celestino ($0.70M) SP1: Sonny Gray ($12.00M) SP2: Tyler Mahle ($8.00M) SP3: Kenta Maeda ($9.00M) SP4: Joe Ryan ($0.70M) SP5: Bailey Ober ($0.70M) RP: Jhoan Duran ($0.70M) RP: Jorge Lopez ($3.00M) RP: Griffin Jax ($0.70M) RP: Jorge Alcala ($1.00M) RP: Caleb Thielbar ($2.00M) Payroll is 9.64% under budget

I like this. But I don't see years for the C4/Rodon contracts. Maeda could very well earn his way back into the starting rotation if he pitches like he did in the COVID shortened season. I like Max. I like Jeffers. I understand hitting is NOT easy, but to me this is like shooting in basketball. You will never be a Steph Curry/Ted Williams but you should be able to get to MLB average. I am a firm believer in bringing your prospects in when your options are veterans who are at or below average. I would like to see if Thor kicks i back up, (Verlander did), after this season. But I am tired of retreads that have a history of ceilings that are average. Draft position does not determine if they have a high ceiling after they have been around the block. One last thing. With the injuries, the nagging ones that never went away, it was time to restart the head trainer role.

Thanks, this is what I was trying to understand, if the 3rd BC sent him, why would it be Sano's fault???

And they aren't going to be stealing too many bases either...

>> It kinda feels like Cave sticking around in MLB camp is just some epic-level trolling of Twins fans Exactly...

OK...LOL...you're crazy... You are also Not Wrong...

I think next year is an unknown at this point. Unless something dramatic happens I think it is safe to assume that CC will opt out. But I wouldn't rule out the Twins keeping him. It really depends on a couple of things. 1) the chemistry between the Twins (players and FO) and CC 2) what the Twins are doing to put together a WS Winning team. 3) how CC and his family like the TC area. TS

This is not really a disagreement perse... Yesterday I went to Baseball Trade Values(https://www.baseballtradevalues.com) and sorted through a list of possible MLB pitchers the Twins could go after. I know we are hung up on the M&M boys from the As, but there are others. Just not a lot. Criteria: Value had to be above 20 (FM:39.6 and SM:14.1[yes this misses the 20 value but everyone talks about SM) Also had to be a listed as at least a Medium in the opportunity to acquire them. So beyond the M&M brothers. Framber Valdez(Astros) 83.3 Logan Webb(Giants) 71.5 Luis Castillo(Reds) 66.0 German Marquez(Rockies) 58.7 Tristan McKenzie(Guardians) 58.7 Pablo Lopez(Marlins) 57.1 Luis Garcia(Blue Jays) 54.8 Julio Urias(Dodgers) 48.2 Tyler Mahle(Reds) 44.4 John Means (Os) 41.8 I only used BTVs because it had a way to search and compare. The right thing to have done, (but an IT career and starting a film career leaves little time to play GM), would be to download the lists from BTV and then add additional sorting criteria AFV, availability, Trade Value. I have no idea on the true availability to the Twins, (e.g. Guardians trade in their division, Giants/Dodgers trading away anything, etc...) So there are options, but if we don't get any of these or the M&M Boys then lets go with our pitchers instead of adding additional retreads. Fingers Crossed the FO can pull a second miracle out of the hat that doesn't strip our farms system. BTW Fun Fact: Only one pitcher was listed with an availability of NONE. Garret Cole, NYY. Pax, y'all

Great article. New perspectives always enhance and expand our thinking.

It can't be $130M after signing CC. At this point if they need 2 quality pitchers. I am not really counting on much from Dylan. There is no sense in paying CC $35.1M just to squander the season away. I could see the payroll going to $150+ which is unheard of for the Twins but they will pack them in AND if they get the right pitchers make a good run. I like to offense and now the defense of this team. Not perfect but it is very well set. Plus you have some pieces to work with if you want to make moves. it is really hard to be patient now that we have been given a 5 Star entree LOL

Holy crap, we are dissecting grammar and idioms now... I agree with starting him in the bullpen if it can help the Twins. Johann did it, I think he turned out OK. Not sure if its Duran or someone else, but lets do what it takes to win and still build a strong foundation for winning. One way to entice Carlos to stay beyond one year is to show the commitment, in actions not words, to building a World Series Champion. I think the Twins have some excellent components in place.

Anyone who plays hard and won't back down is fine by me... Also JD always seems to have his teammates' backs. The front office gives us a BangBangBang weekend and then quiet for TWO days... Cruel... TS

Could this bias comment be biased??? LOL

I agree. In fact you could trade one starting positional player for Manea. According to the Trade Simulator, you could swap Jeffers for Manea. But you would need a good sense if you could sign him.