Mill1634

So glad we won. A long losing streak gets to everyone, including the players. Arraez is such a good hitter. I feel confident every time he’s at the plate. Big mike was so good today, and has been his entire twin tenure. Rocco makes some questioning decision again, and the bullpen struggles, but colome looked the best he has all year. Interesting that thorpe is getting the start tomorrow. Few moves that they could make to get him onto the roster, assuming there is no IL move to correspond. Guessing it’s dobnak or Shaun Anderson out, although willians being DFA’d is certainly possible.

I know this is a joke, but in all seriousness I hope to see garlick in the lineup the next 2 days against a lefty. He looked like he was locked in and hit two balls hard off of Boyd in a day where not many did. I’d much rather have him in the outfield against a lefty instead of Kepler or Cave.

Game lacked quite a bit of energy once again, but we got the win. 2 of 3 is exactly what we need against teams like the tigers with an occasional sweep. Maeda hasn’t been sharp all year but hasn’t been giving up runs. Robles looks like a steal for 2 million dollars. Polo best swings of the year. Garlick looks like he belongs vs LHP. Simbas fielding is as good as advertised. Colome wasn’t throwing well today, but got the job done. Twins win!!

Overall not a very good day. Got Mize out of the game early, but let him off the hook and let a taxed bullpen give up only 2R over 6 innings. I know it's a SSS, but Rooker has not looked good thus far. Hopefully AK is making strides in St. Paul. MMQB, but have to send Polo on the Cruz single if you're going to turn around and send him on a contact play. It's baseball, it happens. Have to win tomorrow.

The Twins went from a 90+ win team to a 70 win team because they lost OD? I understand this game has more "importance" in the eyes of the fan, but its < 1% of the season. We looked sloppy at times, yes, but this should be one of the best defenses in baseball. Also, don't forget the Brewers are favored to win the NLC. A game we should've won, no doubt.

At bats were okay considering that Woodruff is a great pitcher. Twins have to add on when they get to the middle guys, which I guess you can say they did with the Buxton homer, but it has to be more than 2 runs if you're getting them for 5 innings. Maeda didn't seem real sharp, but the bullpen was very good (outside of Colome). Guess we'll only go 161-1 now.

My predictions: NYY TOR BOS TBR BAL MIN CWS* KCR CLE DET HOU LAA* OAK TEX SEA NYM ATL* WAS PHI MIA STL MIL CIN CHC PIT LAD SDP* ARI SFG COL Playoffs CWS>LAA NYY>CWS, MIN>HOU NYY>MIN ATL>SDP LAD>ATL, NYM>STL LAD>NYM LAD>NYY in 6 games MVP: Mike Trout,Mookie Betts CY Young: Kenta Maeda, Jacob DeGrom ROY: Randy Arozarena, Dylan Carlson

What's up everyone? You may know me from the forums as I have created and introduced multiple game threads throughout my time spent at TwinsDaily, and have also created offseason blueprints in the past. This year is the hardest one I will have done, because of the COVID-19 pandemic and it's affect on spending both on the Minnesota Twins, as well as baseball as a whole. The Twins spent what would have been 135M on their payroll in 2020, before being prorated. I am going to assume that that numbers stays fairly steady, but to be on the safe side, am going to project between 125-130M for the 2021 payroll. First thing first, and that is arbitration estimates, which come from MLB trade rumors. SP Jose Berrios - 5.3M (Tender) CF Byron Buxton - 4.4M (Tender) RP Tyler Duffey - 1.7M (Tender) C Mitch Garver - 1.8M (Tender) RP Taylor Rogers - 5.5M (Tender) LF Eddie Rosario - 10M (Non-Tender) RP Matt Wisler - 1.4M (Tender) Total - 20.1M I don't think any of these decisions will shock you, and I don't think very many are up for debate besides Eddie Rosario and Taylor Rogers. Rosario is an above-average OF who swings at a TON of pitches out of the zone, and doesn't provide + defense in left field. In a normal year I think Eddie is non-tendered, and in this messed up year I can almost promise you that he will be non-tendered. Rogers struggled throughout the year, but his peripherals looked good, which is promising. The only hesitation on this is what we saw Cleveland do with Brad Hand. However, Taylor is due almost half his salary, and is a better pitcher. Sign me up. Guaranteed Salaries: Donaldson - 21M Sano - 11M Pineda - 10M Kepler - 6.5M Polanco - 4.3M Maeda - 2.5M 23 players making the league min. -13.2M Total - 88.9M To spend - 36.1M Now lets project the locks to make the roster (pending trade): C - Mitch Garver, Ryan Jeffers 1B - Miguel Sano 2B - Luis Arraez (L) 3B - Josh Donaldson SS - Jorge Polanco (S) LF - Jake Cave (L) CF - Byron Buxton RF - Max Kepler (L) This leaves us with the following holes in the lineup: Backup SS Utility IF Right Handed OF Designated Hitter Now for the pitching side: SP - Kenta Maeda SP - Jose Berrios SP - Michael Pienda SP - SP - RP - Taylor Rodgers (L) RP - Tyler Duffey RP - Matt Wisler RP - Jorge Alcala RP - Cody Stashak RP- RP - RP - This leaves us needing: Starter Starter Reliever Reliever Reliever Reminder, we have between 36-41M to spend on these holes. Now for the fun part; lets spend some money and fill in some holes! Starting Pitcher (2) Internal options: Randy Dobnak - I think Randy Dobnak slots somewhere into the Major League club, and that is exactly what I am going to do. We saw him start off real strong, being on the leaderboard for ERA. However, he faltered quickly, and lost his job. I believe he has what it takes to bounce back, and we're going to make him the #5 starter on the squad. Devin Smeltzer - I don't think Smeltzer is a MLB starter, and has a career ahead of him being a long guy out of the bullpen. He'll start at AAA. Lewis Thorpe - Thorpe seemed to have issues with the front office, being sent down with the first waive of players in ST 1.0, but eventually got a shot at the club. He did not pitch well, and I see him filling a role similar to Smeltzer Jhoan Duran - Duran is an intriguing young arm, but for a club wanting to contend, not the type of guy you can roll into the year with. He'll start at AA or AAA. Sign Robbie Ray to a One Year, 6M dollar deal Robbie Ray was widely regarded as one of the best SP's hitting the market this year, but then his 2020 season happened, which was not pretty. However, I think Ray has the potential to be an upside signing for a team with good pitching development, which is what the Twins have in place. If they can harness the control (7.1 BB/9 in 2020, 4.6 career), he can be a good starter in the Central. If he doesn't work out as a starter, he can fall back to a bullpen role, and pitch well from the left side. That brings the rotation to: SP - Kenta Maeda SP - Jose Berrios SP - Michael Pineda SP - Robbie Ray SP - Randy Robnak Remaining budget: 30M Relievers (3) Internal options: Brandon Waddell (L) - Just claimed on waivers from the Pirates, a Matt Wisler type arm from the left side. I don't see him breaking North on opening day. Ian Gibaut - Another waiver claim, this time from the Texas Rangers. Ian also comes from the Matt Wisler mold, and throws plenty hard to compliment his breaking ball. I think he finds a role on the opening day roster, and we will slot him into the front end of the bullpen. Edward Colina - We saw him debut in his only game of the year for the Twins, going very poorly. I think he is probably starting the year off at AAA, but we will see him sometime in 2021. Dakota Chalmers - Has yet to see MLB action, acquired along with Sergio Romo in the 2019 trade. AAA to start the year. Pending free agents: Sergio Romo - We've seen Romo's wicked slider do his tricks for the Minnesota Twins, but his option was declined by the FO. There could be interest in bringing him back, but combine his age with his antics, and I think it's time to move on. Tyler Clippard - Clippard was effective for the Twins in 2020, and I see no reason to not bring him back. Trevor May - I love May, but I think he will probably find a spot where he can have a cemented late inning bullpen role. The Twins can't offer that, and for good reason. Resign Tyler Clippard to a 1 year, 2.5M dollar deal Clippard was set to make 2.7M with the Twins his first go around, and I am willing to give him a very similar deal. He is aging, but he has a pitch profile that doesn't rely on velocity, and can get both righties and lefties out. Sign Joakim Soria to a 1 year, 6.5M dollar deal Take the money that you had set aside for Sergio Romo, give it to Soria, and add a little bit on to sweeten the pot. Soria throws an effective slider similar to Romo, getting a whiff rate of over 30% in 2020. He doesn't rely on his fastball, which averaged between 92-93 MPH in 2020. He adds a veteran presence to the bullpen, and can pitch in high leverage innings as the setup man. That gives us a bullpen of: RP - Taylor Rodgers (L) RP - Tyler Duffey RP - Matt Wisler RP - Jorge Alcala RP - Cody Stashak (L) RP- Tyler Cippard RP - Joakim Soria RP - Ian Gibaut Remaining budget: 21M Now onto the hitters, where the holes are backup SS, Utility IF, Right handed OF, and DH. Backup SS There is really only one option here for me, and that is resigning Ehire Adrianza to fill in this role again for the Minnesota Twins. He is cheap, good on defense, and can hit enough for his role. This is an easy choice. Resign Ehire Adrianza to a 1 year, 1.5M dollar deal This is a nearly identical deal to what Ehire got in 2020, and should suffice for both sides. The only holdup is if Ehire believes that he is good enough to start somewhere in the MLB. If this is the route that Ehire chooses to take, then a clear internal option is either Royce Lewis (not happening), or Nick Gordon. Utility Infielder Internal options: Travis Blankenhorn (L) - We saw Travis a lot during the Summer Ball scrimmages, and also saw him for a brief time with the Twins in 2020. He looks like a tank, and can play 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. However, he hits from the left side, which is not what the Twins need. Royce Lewis - Former #1 pick who is widely regarded as a top 50 prospect around the league. I think Royce needs more seasoning, and when he is brought up, it will be as an every day role. Nick Gordon - Lost an entire year of playing time due to COVID-19, which makes him hard to evaluate. Just to be on the safe side, I am going to assume he either a. starts in the minors, or b. is DFA'd. Sign Jonathan Schoop to a 1 year, 6M dollar deal I would love to see the former Twin back in town as a utility infielder, and he fits the exact mold of what the Twins need. He has a strong arm at 2nd base, which should allow him to play 15-20 games at third base if the Twins need him to. He has a career OPS vs lefties of .726, and can hold his own against righties. That bring us to an infield of: C - Mitch Garver, Ryan Jeffers 1B - Miguel Sano 2B - Luis Arraez (L), Jonathan Schoop 3B - Josh Donaldson SS - Jorge Polanco (S), Ehire Adrianza (S) Remaining Budget - 13.5M Right Handed OF Internal options: Brent Rooker - We saw Rooker come up and mash in his first stint with the Twins before breaking a bone in his forearm, which is not exactly an easy injury for a hitter to overcome. If he recovers fully, I expect him to break North with the Twins. However, we are the Twins, so I am going to plan for the worst case scenario. Sign Kevin Pillar to a 2 year, 12.5M Dollar deal Kevin Pillar plays great outfield defense, and hits lefties well. In 2020, he had an OPS of .969 vs LHP, but was abysmal vs right handed pitchers, OPS less than .700. However, that is fine, as he is one of the better Center Fielder's on the defensive side of the ball, and has experience playing the corner outfield. He is a dream fit for the Twins, which makes me willing to give him a 2 year deal. Remaining Budget - 7.25M That's it, we did it, and we spared some extra cash. Now lets break things down. C - Mitch Garver, Ryan Jeffers 1B - Miguel Sano 2B - Luis Arraez (L), Jonathan Schoop SS - Jorge Polanco (S), Ehire Adrianza (S) 3B - Josh Donaldson LF - Jake Cave (L) CF - Byron Buxton, Kevin Pillar RF - Max Kepler (L) DH: One of Alex Kiriloff or Brent Rooker SP - Kenta Maeda SP - Jose Berrios SP - Michael Pineda SP - Robbie Ray SP - Randy Robnak RP - Taylor Rodgers (L) RP - Tyler Duffey RP - Matt Wisler RP - Jorge Alcala RP - Cody Stashak (L) RP- Tyler Cippard RP - Joakim Soria RP - Ian Gibaut This blueprint largely brings back the squad from 2020, with exceptions to Eddie Rosario, Jake Odorizzi, and Nelson Cruz + players around the margin. I think that this group has what it takes to win the Central, and win a playoff series (gasp). The rotation has a wildcard in it, but for a reasonable amount. The bullpen was largely kept in tact, but replaced one veteran presence with another. The lineup loses Nelson Cruz, but adds in young guys like AK and Brent Rooker, and expects bounce back years from some of: Mitch Garver, Jorge Polanco, Miguel Sano, JD, and Max Kepler. They are supplemented with 2 lefty killers in Kevin Pillar and Jonathan Schoop. Let me know your thoughts on this blueprint below!

They were added. Currently at 33, per Dustin Morse

Willians won't be here next season. No way he survives the 40 man roster turnover. Cave is either back on the MLB roster as the LF or 4th OF, or is traded. He's done being sent down. Kepler doesn't have to fight for a spot yet, he signed an extension not long ago. He could be traded, sure, but if he isn't, he is your RF next year for the 110 times we face a righty. Rosario is likely gone. Maeda, Berrios, Pineda is a good start, but I think adding a guy like Bauer is crucial to take the next step.

Kevin Pillar is a free agent this upcoming winter, and would love to see the Twins sign him to a 1 year deal around 6-8 million dollars to serve as CF insurance, as well as a platoon for LF

Maybin was traded to the Cubs, but other than that nothing. I do agree with your line of thinking.

Very, very disappointed we didn't add anything. It didn't need to be a starter (and I was against that), but would've liked to see a right handed bat (Kevin Pillar), or a reliever just to make the bullpen that much stronger (Archie Bradley). The return for Bradley did not look real strong, and would like to think the Twins could have topped that. The one weakness in this front office, in my mind, has been the trade deadline. At some point you have to push the chips in.

I don't think you're going to get much pushback on this article. Don't think the FO would entertain it, either

Great win, exactly what we needed after a bullpen night from both the offense and Maeda. The offense did what they have done so far (score runs early), but also added on, which is something that they haven't done so far. Maeda is certainly the best Twins starter at the moment, and would venture to bet that he would start game one of the playoffs if they were starting tomorrow. Thorpe looked better, but am guessing was his final outing for now. Going to guess he and Gearrin will be sent to STP with Vargas and Littell activated before Friday's game.

This loss really hurts. Bullpen game we were in position to win. Rogers, Duffey, wisler, and May almost certainly unavailable tomorrow. Need Maeda to give 6 innings at a minimum and piece it together with Clippard, Stashak, and Romo.

OPS over 1.000 last year vs lefties, .863 in his career. I hope this doesn’t mean Donaldson is done for the year and they wanted another utility option with marwin becoming an everyday player. Assuming Donaldson does come back, maybe he gets some starts in Left field or second base against lefties. I’m guessing thorpe is sent down after he throws the “bulk” tonight.

Wasnt the most exciting game but I am never going to complain about a win. Berrios seemed to struggle early, but settled down nicely after the 7th. The velocity staying at 95-96 into the 6th is an encouraging sign. Cruz is still really good, and Rosario had a few nice (and not nice) at bats. Arraez hit the ball hard but Is getting unlucky. Buxton defense still outweighs his lack of hitting. Nice job by thielbar to save a majority of the bullpen.

That was far from a pretty game, but I was convinced we were toast after being down 4-0. Was nice to see some good at-bats from our hitters. Not a huge fan of Thorpe, but Alcala, Wisler, and Rogers were all really good down the stretch of this game. Kepler hitting the ball hard off of a lefty is a positive development, and Cruz continues to not age. Hopefully Berrios is on tomorrow and can give the bullpen another day of well earned rest.

Twins win. The arms were pretty dominant on both sides, but especially ours. 4 runs in 4 games, 2 of which were on one swing, and another was miscommunication by our left side. I’ll take it!! Just wait until this offense gets going and things will get scary for opponents. Facing Pittsburg for 4 games can’t hurt. Hopefully Thorpe is prepared to throw strikes, they arent an offense that is known for much firepower.

Good victory. The offense jumped on early and Dobnak gave us 5 solid innings. Clippard has really impressed thus far, and Duffey is one of the most underrated relievers in the game. Romo is as cool as the other side of the pillow, and Rogers is a certified closer. The offense did a nice job getting on base, but the timely hitting has not been there thus far. When we are rolling this is a game we put away in the mid-innings. All in all, I will take a split facing Bieber and Clevinger.

I think playing is the right choice, for now, in this circumstance. You knew players would test positive whether on our team or an opponent. We have all tested negative, so play the game. It is a different case if STL is still in town, but they aren't. Also, move Arraez up in the order Rocco, you stubborn son of a gun!

Good news is that we saved our bullpen, and the bottom 2 of 3 didn't allow a run. Arraez looked good at the plate (this is expected by now), and our defense was good. Our lineup has been struggling, and we saw that in the Cardinals series other than a few good innings. Doesn't help when Bieber has what he has. Tomorrow doesn't get any easier as Clevinger is only a halfstep below Bieber. At least Cleveland's bats didn't look too great either.

My first homer answer is Jorge Polanco

Being a prominent baseball player does NOT mean that he has to be into politics or have a social stance on issues, no matter how big or small they are. He is a German American baseball player, and not even 30 years old. I know plenty of men less than 30 that don't care about politics. Just because Kepler is a baseball player doesn't mean he is forced to unite the city. That is why we have a vote, to vote for the people who we want to have a say. Kepler is here because of his talents on the field, not because he is the answer to deep rooted issues.