IndianaTwin

MLR, I’m responding to yours because it’s the most convenient and because you’ve conveniently listed the starter options. 24 / 23 / 27 / 11(+4)/ 0 / 5(+23) / 1(+22) / 5 / 11 (+6) / 0(+6) That’s the number of starts those 10 guys had last year (including the minors in parentheses). In summary, that’s three guys with 23+ starts in the majors; two with 23+ starts, but most of them in the minors; two guys with 15-17 starts (about one-third of them in the minors); a guy who missed the season and is coming off TJS; a guy with 5 starts, but not available until August because of TJS; and a guy with 6 minor league starts. All in all, I’m actually relatively encouraged by the potential strength and depth that group provides. But the only ones that feel like true locks are Ryan and Gray (and I’ll give you Mahle, though he did miss the last month-plus). I like Maeda. A lot. To my knowledge, I was the first person to suggest him as a trade target in an offseason blueprint. But I now find it interesting that a bunch of people seem to be using his presence, coming back from TJS, as a reason we don’t want an injury-prone Wacha. Folks have been clamoring for “ceiling.” That’s what Wacha presents. If you say, “What have you done for me lately,” he would arguably be the Opening Day starter if you consider starts (as many Mahle and Gray, a few fewer than Ryan), ERA+ (matching Gray, significantly better than Ryan or Mahle) and bWAR (0.9 more than any of them). He has always been highly regarded, a No. 1 draft pick, and at one point, we would have been clamoring to pick him up. Look, it always comes down to “at the right price.” I don’t see any of us advocating for a three-year deal. Only some of us are suggesting two years, which is what MLBTR predicted (at $8M/yr.). That he hasn’t gotten that yet makes one wonder whether that’s a bit high. If they could get him for something like $8M for one year, with $1M bonuses for 18, 21, 24 and 27 starts, maybe with a $1M option for a similar figure that vests at 24 starts, I think it would be worth taking a shot. In my mind, one of several things happens: Maeda isn’t at full strength, Paddack isn’t back, etc. The added depth Wacha provides will be helpful — that list of 10 guys is now down to eight. He pitches great, as do others. If so, he was worth it, because the team is probably in contention. He pitches great, others don’t. He’s a significant trade chip. His 16 or so starts by the deadline won’t have significantly limited the opportunity for young guys, since they will still get chances when other guys stink. He pitches poorly, others pitch great. He may still be a trade chip, because teams like “stuff.” Also, the team has actually shown a willingness to dump guys (Reed, Duffey, etc.) when they are on the last year of a contract and they have alternatives to use (Bundy and Archer don’t count — they didn’t realistically have options that were ready last midsummer). If Ober/SWR/Varland are beating down the door while Wacha struggles, I think they’d drop him. He pitches poorly, others also stink or are hurt (including the young ones). They needed the body. And finally, remember that deals don’t happen in a vacuum. If signing Wacha gives them the freedom use another pitcher for a SS upgrade, for example, that’s also a win.

In this order, here's lines on Wacha, Gray, Mahle, Ryan, Maeda... 2022 33 MIN AL 0 0 0.0 (did not pitch, recovering from Tommy John surgery...) Wacha averaged 5.5 innings per start (higher than any Twin), with a higher ERA+ than any Twins starter. Even if they stay healthy, there's going to be innings limits on the rookies and Maeda. As DJL suggests, Wacha could be a relief option (the long guy folks are clamoring for?), but he could also easily take Maeda's spot and make Maeda that long guy. If they are so fortunate to have them all healthy, I could also see them going the 6-starter route. So yes, please, on Wacha.

Even while being 42 years old.

TK K beat me. Yes to the Negro League Baseball Museum. I’ve not visited the jazz museum next door, but I’ve heard it’s excellent as well. I’m thinking you can get a twofer ticket. And yes to going around the corner to Arthur Bryant’s. BBQ has become trendy, so there are a number of upscale spots in town, but Bryant’s was one of the first. Work friends brag on Que 39 as well. KC was my first park as a kid. I hope to go back in 2024 to celebrate my 50th anniversary of attending MLB games. The K is now one of the older parks in baseball, but I think it’s held up amazingly well. It’s still one of my favorites.

Said it last time — offer $70.2M for two years, with an opt-out after one! Seriously, at some point, Boras may have to go all Andre Dawson in reverse on people. Might as well be the Twins, right?

I get annoyed with all the arguments about how to define an “ace,” but in that spirit, I don’t see what you’re describing as a “rebuild” if all you’re trading is Polanco, Kepler, Maeda, Gray and Pagan. And given that you’d be trading several of these at a point of low value, why bother? You’re not going to get much now, and thus not much less if you do it later. Conversely, you might actually get more later if any of them have a good first half. Plus, if they have a good first half, they’ve also potentially addressed an existing need. And if so, the team may actually be in the race. And if any them has had a good first half, but the team isn’t in the race, there’s probably a higher level of urgency on the part of trade partners than there is now. And at that point, they can trade several of them and open the Falvey Levine Buffet to also include Gallo and others among the offerings. So add me to the “no” column.

Except that I think outbidding the deals the other three got would have been even sillier than offering Correa more.

Offer him $70.2M over two years, with an opt-out!

I saw you went to Garrett. Where did your father-in-law go?

Here’s a “must see” when in New York: https://www.firstpizza.com Get a Clam Pie.

“Have received interest” speaks to other teams doing their due diligence. I don’t have a problem with that, but it’s hardly news. I’d think it’s a bigger problem if the team has a rotation that other teams don’t have interest in.

It's a little scary when I say that a few of us are dating ourselves with these references, and I'm including myself in the same age category as @USAFChief.

Nah, it's an automatic, so I use my right foot on both pedals.

You say "po-ta-to," I say "po-ta-toe."

Cool. I'll be 57 in a couple months, and I can hit 75 on the gun as well. I mean, I drive a 2004 Honda Accord, so it takes a few seconds to get there, but I can do it!

As implied above, the two main reasons Swanson isn’t Correa are that he ain’t gonna need $300M and he ain’t gonna need 13 years. Given the FO’s desire for flexibility, I’d still like to sign him. I like Farmer and I get that Lewis will be ready soon, but the ability to use Farmer at both SS and 3B, Lewis and Lee coming, and possibility of moving Swanson to 2B in a couple years when Polanco leaves are all valuable.

What about the Mystery Team? Isn’t there always a Mystery Team?

I’m not that hung up about a lefty/righty balance. It’s not that they ignore platooning, but my sense is that the catcher rotation is much more about balancing workload and days off than it is about the opposing pitcher’s handedness.

Ah, there was not a lot of Versatile in the area where I grew up, so I'm not as familiar with that profile or model numbering scheme. Beef or dairy? I grew up milking about 60, which for the time and place was a pretty decent number. Now, not so much -- I visited a 2400-head dairy operation near Freeman a few weeks ago.

I get it -- as a kid, I mowed too much hay in an International 966 with a non-working air conditioner. So what model is that under the stylish paint job?

Awesome idea. Please tell me you’re driving the tractor on all those miles.

I was going to say, "Oh, no. Not another 'ace' story," but then I saw that Mahle pitched over 400 innings for the Reds last year. Anyone who can do that is definitely an ace! But seriously, are we going to all Jose Berrios on Mahle discussions for the next two years?

And that's part of why Strider isn't a great comparison. He's more than two years younger than Ryan. With extension, Atlanta can keep Strider through age 30. Twins already control Ryan past that point.

Looks like the prices are well over $25, so shipping is included as long as you don’t need it in two days.