Vanimal46

I have no doubt that's happening too. Do you blame them? The other major sports in America sign players to record contracts every year. Baseball wants to keep up too.

Concur. We'll never see reports like that because it has never happened. They'll always be vague and say they made a competitive offer (whatever that means), or say they weren't willing to offer the additional guaranteed year. You bring up a great point in the 2nd paragraph. The top free agents are always looking to set the standard for future free agents. IMO that's why it took forever for Harper and Machado to sign last year. They wanted to be known as the $300 million players, and didn't accept anything less.

The Yankees simply did not have enough starting pitching. I still firmly believe that is key to winning in the playoffs. Between Washington and Houston they have 5 starters better than anything the Twins have on staff. There's too much variance relying on 3-4 bullpen guys every night to get the job done. 2 or 3 may have it that particular night. But it may get ruined by the 1 reliever who was off their game.

They can compete. They just choose not to. I hope that changes this year.

I can guarantee you the top free agents will go to the team that offers the most lucrative contract. That's how free agency works. Here's a dirty little secret... You know why the Twins signed Nelson Cruz? Because they outbid the entire market.

All fair points Bird. I don't doubt each team has their own individual rankings of prospects different than the industry lists us common folk have access to. The only thing I'll quibble with you is having a different view of Lewis. I don't believe he's an Uber prospect... I can believe Kirilloff is because the bat and stats stick out. He destroyed FSL pitching and got right back on track after his wrist injury in AA. Whereas Lewis was maybe league average in the FSL, below average in AA. I understand the other tools play in, but there are doubts he sticks at SS. He's fast though!

I find it ironic Wheeler is thought of as an ace with his injury history, and Bumgarner is dismissed because of too much milage on his arm. Bumgarner has been way more durable in his career other than a couple of freak accidents (falling off a dirt bike hurting his shoulder, and getting drilled by a line drive on the mound). Mileage on the arm doesn't appear to affect Scherzer, Verlander, and Grienke. I really think Bumgarner is one of those unicorns in baseball. A true work horse that can pitch 200 innings year in year out.

Sure, every team will try to emulate that philosophy not trading their top prospect. The deal with prospects though is not knowing if the 13th best player on the list will end up with the best MLB career or not. Arraez could have been thought of a throw in for a trade last year at this time because he was maybe 20th on the prospect list.

Polanco got robbed. He leads all Twins position players in bWAR by a significant margin. Just by the eye test alone I never consistently felt that Kepler was the most valuable player on this team.

Doesn't that indicate Bumgarner has been way more durable over his career than Wheeler? I wouldn't be opposed to either one for the Twins, but given the choice I would go Bumgarner 10 times out of 10 because of his durability and ability to pitch with his left arm.

Step 1: Check Step 2: Find a Verlander, Grienke, Cole, Osuna, and Pressly type available via trade. Then we'll be Houston.

Yes. I hope they learn not to give up too early during the season, and the struggles trading from weakness instead of surplus.

All of these pitchers would be a fine replacement for Gibson. I would love to aim higher on another player like Wheeler, MadBum, or Ryu.

I assumed Buxton would get more than a single vote... His 2018 was an epic disaster, and he showed this year he can hit MLB pitching better than league average.

If the QO is really needed I guess I do it. Regardless, I will advocate to retain big Mike. He was the best pitcher in the rotation from June until his suspension. Arguably should have been the game 1 starter against the Yankees if he was eligible.

It's amazing how a viable passing attack can take them to the next level. This would have been a game they lose in the past. Instead they're getting better every week and blowing out Nebraska.

This is the same organization that said "Nah, nothing is different with the ball." earlier this year... until the data was so bonkers they had to say something about it. I don't expect them to be transparent on this topic at all.

Dear diary, On this date, October 9, 2019, Mr. Falvey SETS THE TONE. All aboard the hope train! Whether they can get there... I guess we'll found out if there are road blocks ahead!

Castro: I'd try pretty hard to bring him back. 1 year, 1 + option year, I'm open to either. Cron: Nah, let him walk. Wasn't that valuable. Save the money for pitching. Schoop: Probably best if he found a starting job elsewhere. He did his job this year filling in as a stop gap until internal options forced their way up. Gibson: Don't agree with you that he's getting a multi-year deal. Too much of a question mark with his health. He'll be waiting around until spring training at least. Big Mike: Bring him back. I'll take 3/4 of a season of his production anytime. Odorizzi: Top Priority on this list. They better be comfortable going 4 or 5 years on their offer. Perez: No, man. Just no. Romo: Meh. I guess he'll be cheap enough to discard if it's not working out.

I almost forgot! 12/14: Twins lose OF Luke Raley in Rule 5 draft. Twins Daily faithful fills 15 pages of comments that it's the worst thing ever to lose Luke Raley.

Over the off-season there will be PLENTY of chatter about the Twins. They're primed to be BOLD and make a YUGE splash in free agency. As a seasoned Twins fan I'm here to save you a bunch of time! The off-season is already predetermined, and your friend Vanimal found the transcript for the most DRAMATIC off-season yet... 10/9: Twins exercise Nelson Cruz' option 10/14: Jim Pohlad quoted in a Sid Hartman column "there will be no restrictions on payroll" 11/1: Ken Rosenthal tweets the Twins are one of several teams interested in free agent pitcher Gerrit Cole. 11/10: Jeff Passan tweets the Twins are attempting to schedule a meeting with Zach Wheeler's representation. 11/11: Zach Wheeler signs 4/$72 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. 11/12: Lavelle E Neal writes rushed blog post saying Wheeler's representation never returned the Twins' call. 12/1: Twins add 5 minor Leaguers to 40 man roster. Twins Daily writes that every player added has a floor of an average major league player, and a ceiling of a perennial all star. 12/4: Jake Odorizzi signs a 5/$75 million contract with the Houston Astros. 12/6: Pat Reusse writes column that the Twins gave an honest attempt to sign Odorizzi. Didn't want to commit to 5th guaranteed year. 1/13: Twins sign SP Homer Bailey to minor league contract with invite to spring training. 1/14: Twins season ticket holders receive automated email informing them prices will increase for the 2020 season. 1/27: Jon Heyman tweets the Twins make Gerrit Cole their top priority. 2/1: Dave St. Peter announces a new bar will be constructed 30 feet above the pitcher's mound held up by suspension cables! For $15,000 you can be RIGHT ON TOP of the action drinking your favorite local craft brew! 2/11: Lavelle E Neal reports Jose Berrios has turned down extension offer from the Twins. 2/15: Twins announce NEW FOOD offerings at Target Field. 2/26: Gerrit Cole signs 8/$275 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. 3/4: Twins sign free agent SP Tanner Roark to 1/$12 million contract with a team option for 2nd year. 3/13: Lavelle E Neal reports SP Brusdar Graterol is in team's plans to make opening day rotation. 3/14: Brusdal Graterol optioned to AAA spring training. 3/28: Twins realize they're still short 1 starting pitcher, re-sign Kyle Gibson to minor league contract with "opt-out" on May 1. You're welcome!

He may actually be the best QB in Minnesota sports! *Ducks*

“Sign or bail” with Twins FAs. What do you do? Odorizzi- Pineda- Schoop- Castro- Romo- Gibson- Perez- Cruz (rhetorical)

I like your tiers. I will argue Wheeler will be a top tier FA and get paid like one. I get the feeling Odorizzi will be a target for the Astros... They love pitchers who live in the top of the zone and if he goes there, they'll find another level to unlock with him. Rosario makes the most sense to trade but again, I don't think his trade value is very attractive. They would have to pony up a good value prospect along with him to get something decent in return. Finally, I would prefer not having any internal option, no matter how many, fighting for the #5 spot in the rotation. Go out and fill all 5 spots with veterans they think will help win.

There are no analytics, no rhyme or logical reason why the Yankees have dominated the Twins for so long.