While I certainly chat with the white whales this offseason (Cole, Strasburg, Rendon), ultimately none land in Minnesota. That doesn't mean the offseason cannot be a success. I move forward with the following:
Zach Wheeler - 4 years/76 million Mike Moustakas - 3 years/42 million Jake Odorizzi - 3 years/39 million Will Smith - 3 years/35 million Jason Castro - 1 year/6 million
Trade AWAY Eddie Rosario for prospects Trade FOR David Peralta for prospects (Net +1.3 million for trades)
Non-Tender - Cron Pass on Martin Perez (+.5 million) I'd also bring back Gibson on a minor league deal if he'd accept and see how he performs in the spring...if okay, perhaps break camp with him instead of Graterol to begin year.
SP - Wheeler, Berrios, Odorizzi, Dobnak, Graterol (Gibson?) RP - Rogers, Smith, Duffey, May, Littel, Stashak, Smeltzer/Thorpe
Total Payroll: 137 million
I really wanted to bring back Pineda, however salary was not going to work while missing a portion of the year. The addition of Smith could shorten games for the inevitable shuffle at the back end of the rotation, however would rather spend on a guy like Smith then take a chance on the starters that could come for similar money.
I think Wheeler is the home run get for the Twins...hampered a bit by the Mets dysfunction, but electric stuff that wont cost what the two top guys will.
I try to extend Buxton/Berrios, just not sure that's gonna get done. So didn't even try and go there here.
I prefer Peralta over Rosario despite the age difference as I only am planning on Peralta for one year. And he won a gold glove this past season (for what that is worth), but really wanted him for the quality at-bats he will provide versus Rosario.
Believe the hitters provide good flexibility position-wise and the team has okay depth when the inevitable injury hits.
No monster prospect trades allow for in-season deals to again be considered, also allows the team to see Larnach for a second year, see if Lewis continues AFL success, see if Kirilloff continues to make strides hopefully without injury.
The concentration of LH hitters is a potential concern, especially if Sano/Cruz either don't remain healthy or don't produce. However, I could see the lineup being just as potent as this year (assuming MLB doesn't mess with the ball) and believe the rotation should be better overall 1-5 and bullpen should at least be on par with what we saw the last two months in 2019.
3rd Inning Stretch got a reaction from tarheeltwinsfan for a blog entry, Another 2020 Blueprint