Ted Schwerzler

Over the past couple of offseasons we’ve seen Derek Falvey and Thad Levine make moves to take the Minnesota Twins to new heights. Having captured two straight AL Central Division titles, there’s only one gift worthy of pursuit in 2021.Last winter Josh Donaldson became the most lucrative Twins player since Joe Mauer. He was joined by a few other free agents and a big trade that landed Kenta Maeda. So far this winter the market as a whole has moved at a pace slow enough to make a glacier blush. There are names out there that can help the Twins, and there’s some we have yet to consider. The only goal this offseason though should be a Postseason trip that results in a string of victories. Each year there’s only so many organizations with a realistic opportunity at winning a World Series. Less than half of the teams are going to make the Postseason (unless Rob Manfred again has his way), and of those there’s clearly some cut from a different cloth. While it’s not enough to simply say get in and see what happens, the reality is that a good team becoming great at the right time is recipe enough to hoist a trophy as the last team standing. Before Minnesota can run though, they need to walk, and the ability to stop tripping over their own feet is now a must. For each of the past two seasons it’s been very fair to suggest that this collection of players could care less about the losing streak. Now reaching 18 games and a good number of these guys having contributed to 33% of it, distancing themselves from that reality becomes more dire than ever. Although Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano can never be held accountable for what Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau failed to do, they now have their own history as well. The front office is dealing with a likely reduction in payroll. That may be feasible while still accumulating the necessary talent to take a step forward. What can’t happen is a reduction for the sake of saving dollars when the franchise is on the precipice of its most lucrative years in recent history. Having developed a core near or at their peak, supplemented with a superstar, and having a farm system aiding in some expendable assets, this is the time to strike. Falvey and Levine have done a good job putting their best feet forward, and there should be no reason for that course to be interrupted now. It’s not logical to suggest that Minnesota signs Trevor Bauer, Michael Brantley, and every other breathing top option on the market. What is beyond fair is to say that stopping short of necessary talent acquisition due to muted revenues, and anything short of a respectable playoff run is a failure. With steps forward should come heightened expectations and we are now at that point. Caution shouldn’t be thrown to the wind, but good enough isn’t going to cut it in 2021, and that foundation is being laid now. Maybe the front office can start stuffing the stockings of Twins fans everywhere and convince us that Santa was just a bit slow this offseason. Maybe that process takes a few more weeks. No matter what, when the snow melts and the season starts, a retooled and rejuvenated roster needs to be ready to go and go further than they have before. This isn’t a time to wait out the trade deadline or add when necessary. Get off on the right foot and never let the pedal down. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

Today Maury Brown put an article out at Forbes that illustrated some of the economic impact across baseball in relation to a pandemic shortened 2020 season. While the league as a whole spent roughly $2.5B less on salaries, the per game adjustments note a step forward. The Twins can and need to afford a similar path in the year ahead. In 2019 $2,472,194,292 more dollars were spent on payrolls across baseball. Obviously, there were also 102 more games played that season. Adjusting the calendar to be in line with what we experienced during 2020 however, a 12% increase in player salaries would’ve been realized. On the Twins front, Minnesota paid out $52,627,942 in salaries during the 2020 season. That was good enough for 19th in baseball. They paid a total of $125,205,980 in 2019, and that comes out to an adjusted amount of $46,372,585. It makes sense that the Pohlad family would push more finances into roster construction during an open window and following a length period of cost savings, but it’s glad to see that come to fruition. After going big on Josh Donaldson to the tune of a four-year deal worth at least $100 million, Minnesota again finds themselves in a position to spend. Although payroll positioning isn’t indicative of talent of future finish (just ask the Tampa Bay Rays), stockpiling more assets is hardly a bad practice. Coming off a second straight AL Central division title and looking to supplement an already strong core around a star like Donaldson, another step up makes plenty of sense. Despite the down revenues for the league as a whole in 2020, the reality is that Scott Boras’ assessment is likely factual. Teams didn’t actually lose money as much as they simply didn’t take in typical profits. Coming off years of record growth financially however, that should hardly be the sole motivator, and especially not for organizations in the midst of prime competitive windows. Minnesota has a respectable farm system and one that has both established depth while harboring some very high projected prospects at the top. Even Royce Lewis though shouldn’t be considered a cornerstone on a Major League team for the next one or two seasons. That’s a point in which most of the Twins core is looking into their 30’s while the big contract for Donaldson is a year from lapsing. Derek Falvey and Thad Levine can’t throw caution to the wind, but they’ve built a sustained winner, and now is time to continue adding pieces. There have been rumblings about what the Twins plan to do at the shortstop position, and there’s no doubt they have holes in the starting rotation as it would currently be constructed. Minnesota is never going to be able to compete with big market clubs purely from an enticement factor but saving dollars doesn’t make much sense given the state of the competitive opportunity and the challenge Chicago will certainly present. It’s good to see that even in a year with decreased revenues and unprecedented hurdles the Twins stepped up on the bottom line. Now they need to continue to weather the storm and do it again for 2021. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

Boras often gets dogged because he's a household name for being really good at his job. His job is extrapolating money from higher sources to lower sources, that's the nature of his business. Being in that middle ground, seeing monetary values on both sides, and understanding the product leaves so much to be desired is where his CEO comments come from I think. Couldn't have been more spot on.

Over the past couple of weeks, it has been rumored that the Twins are acting as a shark circling blood in the water. Waiting for an opportunity to make a big move like they did last offseason, it’s been anyone’s guess as to what that may be. Today it was reported that the move could come up the middle. Trevor Bauer is the premier free agent this winter, but shortstop talent is aplenty as well. Andrelton Simmons is a perennial Gold Glove type, while both Didi Gregorious and Marcus Semien bring a more balanced offering in a stopgap type situation. Ken Rosenthal reported today that Minnesota is considering moving Luis Arraez and shifting Jorge Polanco to second base. The question then becomes, who plays short? Arraez broke onto the scene in 2019 and immediately became a fan favorite that looked the part of a Tony Gwynn clone. With great command of the zone and an innate ability to make strong contact, multiple batting titles were projected for his future. Dealing with a slow start in 2020, and lingering knee issues, he finished the year off fine. It’s probably fair to describe him as virtually what we see being who he is. There’s going to be a high average, he won’t strike out, and he’s passable at best on defense. On its own, that works fine for Minnesota. The problem here is that Jorge Polanco is miscast as a shortstop. His arm strength is questionable, and while improved in 2020, his range is suspect. That’s easier to overlook when the power production is what it was in 2019, but he dealt with a nagging ankle issue last season and just underwent another surgery to correct it. There was some talk he could take over as Minnesota’s replacement for Marwin Gonzalez, but you’d probably be sacrificing lineup prowess in that scenario. Moving him to second base seems like a much more fluid fit. So, what happens at short? Royce Lewis is obviously seen as the heir, but there’s plenty of warts to dissect there. His 2019 was not good, and despite glowing reports from the CHS Field alternate site last season, 2020 featured no real game action. A handful of national names continue to suggest he’s not a fit at short long term, and a spot in centerfield makes more sense. That alone isn’t enough to bump him off the position now, but it might be worthy to consider him less than untouchable. At the current juncture two of the game’s best shortstops are on the trade market. Cleveland is going to move Francisco Lindor this offseason, and the Colorado Rockies should be sending Trevor Story out. Neither are under team control past 2022 and as always you have the Coors effect in play (.760 OPS away .994 OPS home) for Story. Both players are going to command an absolute premium and depending on what Derek Falvey and Thad Levine are willing to give up, the hope would likely be an extension works out following a swap. Despite lost revenues in 2020, the Minnesota Twins can’t afford to wait out their next move. The farm system has some very good top prospects, and the depth is also pretty solid. It’s this core however that the front office has been fine tuning, and the window to go all in is the immediate future. With Josh Donaldson having three years left on his mega deal, pairing him and the homegrown core should be of the utmost importance. What impact Royce Lewis or Jordan Balazovic have as key pieces two or three years from now could be the start of an entirely new competitive cycle. This front office can’t go all in and throw care to the wind, but they’ve also never shown a reason to believe that’s how they would operate. Donaldson seemed like a great fit for Minnesota all along last winter, and the Twins picked their spot to get the deal done. Nothing may be imminent on a big splash front right now, but the makings of smoke seem to be billowing and there’s plenty of reason to fan for some flame. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

Certainly hope so!

A couple of days ago Major League Baseball super-agent Scott Boras held his yearly winter press conference. While he’s generally seen as a heavy handed and polarizing figure within the game, you couldn’t walk away from this one not being impressed. Of most importance, the direction, or lack thereof, for the sport.Rob Manfred has become arguably the worst commissioner across all professional sports. Given how Roger Goodell has handled matters in the National Football League, and what Gary Bettman has shown at times for the National Hockey League, that’s truly an amazing feat. Here we are though, as baseball grows financially, finding more fans scratching their heads in regards to every move from the office. During his press conference Boras suggested that MLB needs a CEO, and that actually may be the best thing for the engagement of the sport. Rob Manfred currently represents the owners, as the commissioner is tasked to do. He’s helped to line their pockets by creating a longer Postseason, shortening the regular season, publicly bashing the MLBPA, and aiding in attempts to cry poor despite record revenues year over year. In short, he’s acting as the perfect CEO. What Manfred has shown he has no ability to do however, is understand the game itself. Baseball is a game of constants, and while the sport has evolved to incorporate competitive advantages through shifts, analytics, and platoons, the way it is played largely remains the same. Thinking that the key to fan engagement is shorter outings, pitch clocks, goofy rules, and significantly cutting up the minor leagues, it’s clear that Rob can not effectively accomplish both aspects of the job. In recent years, the popularity for Major League Baseball has never been higher. That has become true for other leagues like the NBA and MLS as well. With the competition breathing down its neck and passing it in some cases, baseball has responded by making it less fan friendly, removing opportunity to experience the sport, and stifling future growth. The league has done this in the form of contractions, public relations discourse, and an overall out-of-touch take on what should be happening. Here we are into December with just months to go before an intended Spring Training kicks off. There were no traditional Winter Meetings due to a nationwide pandemic, but movement on the free agent front has been glacial. The league has not established set rules for the 2021 season and only informed teams of possible intentions. We’ve heard more about delays to Spring Training in hopes the owners can generate ticket revenue rather than excitement about first pitches or newly signed athletes. Every opportunity to make a period of monotony more exciting has been a colossal failure. We’ve seen this building for a while. Although Bud Selig allowed the Steroid Era to happen under his nose (ultimately saving the sport and earning him HOF Induction) it was rarely a question of whether of not he had passion for the sport. The same cannot be said about Manfred and those that control the game. In fact, the Mets new owner Steve Cohen looks like such an albatross that his fan engagement and immediate spending has no doubt drawn the ire of his crusty counterparts. At the end of the day, I don’t know what direction should be taken. Someone with much more skin in the game, Boras for example, has a much clearer suggestion on where to go. Separating business from pleasure may not be a bad idea, but the reality is there’s nothing to love about where we are today. This is a game that should be celebrated through the athletes, enjoying the product on the field, and giving fans as much and as easily accessible of an opportunity to consume it. Some day we may get there. Let’s just hope Rob Manfred and those currently in charge don’t stray too far first. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

This offseason was always going to be incredibly weird. Coming off a pandemic shortened season, with no fans, and an unprecedented amount of uncertainty still ahead, how teams would tackle preparations for 2021 is a mystery. The Twins are good though, and despite a few holes they want to get better. What if they go all in? This morning at ESPN Jeff Passan penned a piece regarding some rumblings he’s heard around the league. One of them was a note on the Minnesota Twins circling like a shark in the water. Executives had apparently suggested that Minnesota is “lurking” and appears “ready to strike with a big move as they did last season.” That big move alluded to was the signing of Josh Donaldson to a $100 million deal. How could something like that be replicated? On the free agent market there’s only a couple of splashes that would fall into that category in and of themselves. Signing Trevor Bauer, George Springer, or J.T. Realmuto would push dollar signs into that realm. Bauer is arguably the most natural fit of the group, and his next deal could be the most interesting. He’s previously said he’d like to by an assassin for hire and string together lucrative one-year deals. Agent Rachel Luba has commented that they’re open to whatever the best fit is. Bauer makes sense in Minnesota, but I’d imagine there’s other more desirable markets. Looking at the latter two options, the Twins would be in a bit of a weird spot even though both are clear upgrades. Springer plays corner outfield, and despite the departure of Eddie Rosario, the assumption is that top prospect Alex Kirilloff will take over in short order. Mitch Garver had a down and injury plagued year in 2020, but Ryan Jeffers looked the part of a starting quality option. Realmuto would push both to the bench, although he could make the DH spot less of a pressing Nelson Cruz matter. I don’t think anything else on the free agency front would qualify as Donaldson-esque. Maybe signing Didi Gregorious, Marcus Semien, or Andrelton Simmons to be the starting shortstop creates ripples, but none of those guys should break the bank. If it’s not going to happen on the open market, swinging a deal is something Derek Falvey and Thad Levine have done well with. Although the system isn’t as loaded as it once was, the Twins minor league depth right now is in a great place. Royce Lewis probably remains off the table, but he’s less untouchable than I assumed even a year ago. Beyond that, everyone should be under consideration. Jordan Balazovic and Jhoan Duran headline the pitching while Trevor Larnach, Aaron Sabato, and Keoni Cavaco are the offensive gems. Without reading too much into what Passan has reported, there’s certainly a feeling of a silent killer right now. Chicago is looking to load up as the White Sox have their most competitive team in years. The Twins are the clear cream of the crop right now though and remaining there will take legitimate additions. After hearing about payroll decreases and scaled back financial efforts after decreased revenues in 2020, there should have been legitimate fear regarding Minnesota’s opportunity to capitalize. If this is just the beginning of smoke, and we don’t have fire for some time, the hope should be that this is an inkling of the Twins keeping their foot on the gas. The front office and development staff have pushed a largely home-grown roster to the point of opportunity. The window is wide open and continuing to jump through it as long as they can, should be the goal. One Postseason win, or a series victory is where it starts, but this organization has all the makings of a legitimate contender. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

As we barrel through the virtual Winter Meetings and on down the path of the Major League Baseball offseason, the Minnesota Twins will certainly make some key free agent acquisitions. The 26-man roster is not yet filled out, but it’s a guy already inked to a deal that’s the linchpin for 2021.Last offseason Derek Falvey and Thad Levine methodically added talent to Rocco Baldelli’s AL Central division winning roster. After a Postseason sweep at the hands of the New York Yankees, another step forward was the goal in 2020. It wasn’t until mid-January that the big domino came, but it was a gargantuan move. Minnesota had handed Josh Donaldson a four-year deal worth at least $100 million. Fast forward to where we are now and it’s Donaldson who remains the most integral acquisition for Minnesota in 2021. His debut season with the club was always going to be truncated due to the impact of Covid-19, but it wound up being just 28 of 60 games in which he competed. For a Twins team with aspirations higher than another early bouncing, it has to get better than that. From 2013-16 Donaldson played in no less than 155 games for the Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays. He was a pillar of health, winner of an MVP award, and a superstar in every sense of the word. Calf issues reared their head in 2017 allowing him to play in just 113 games and splitting time in Canada and Cleveland the following year, he competed in just 52. A resurgence took place in 2019 with the Braves, playing in 155 games, but those same calf problems came up last season with Minnesota. Donaldson is a hitting savant, and he spends as much time perfecting that part of his craft as he does honing his glove skills that make him amongst the best in the game defensively. He hasn’t posted an OPS south of .800 since 2014, and his .900 OPS with Atlanta in 2019 was what Falvey and Levine signed up for. After producing as the Bomba Squad in 2019, Minnesota’s hope was that they would again bludgeon the opposition. Leaving the yard on a consistent basis, even a step forward in pitching should’ve been seen as icing on the cake for a team driven by their lineup. Unfortunately, that’s not how things went, and dealing with injuries left Baldelli’s club consistently coming up empty later in games and more reliant on a well-rounded approach. In the year ahead Minnesota will need Donaldson more than any other asset they acquire. Sure, the designated hitter role is not decided, and the rotation is not filled out, but no single asset will compare in value to what the Bringer of Rain is expected to contribute. He’s the key to the infield defensively, and he’s a heart-of-the-order bat that should set the table for a team with lofty expectations. Realistically, and despite what revenues were this past season, Minnesota should be in a period of addition. The window is wide open and capitalizing upon that is a must. Even with that reality, the likelihood of another $100 million contract simply isn’t logical. Minnesota got that guy, and now they need him to contribute. Keeping Josh Donaldson healthy, and then getting the expected production from him in the year ahead, is more impactful than anything else this club can do before the games begin to count. Baseball is not the individually dominated sport that basketball is, but there’s no player more directly responsible for the overall success and opportunity in Twins Territory than the new father is carrying on his shoulders. Here’s to hoping that dad strength comes through in all 162. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

Obviously these lists are going to be full of opinion, but wanted to address a couple of points. Sabato and Cavaco are not included because of draft positioning. It's about what I've seen on them in person (Cavaco) and prior to selection (Sabato) as well as discussions I've had regarding their abilities. Thorpe has an established track record of being a very good pitcher. Mentally he fell apart for the entirety of 2020. That's factored but not enough for abandonment. Enlow on the other hand has gotten rave reviews, and I've been impressed from what I've seen. Interesting to move Jeffers into the top three based on a 26 G sample size in the weirdest season we've ever seen. Certainly appreciate the counterpoints for sure!

This will be my 6th annual top 15 Twins prospect update. As was the case with the midseason edition back in June, we’re dealing with an unprecedented scenario here. Having not played any minor league baseball action in 2020, movement is based more on what I heard out of the alternate site and what took place from prospects appearing at Target Field. The hope would be that a level of normalcy is restored in 2021. While I’m optimistic we see something closer to what we’ve come accustomed to, changes are still in store. Major League Baseball booted just over 40 affiliates, and the regular season is still looking like there may be a delay in getting things underway. I’m hopeful that the yearly trip to Fort Myers happens, but that all remains in flux currently. Here’s where players checked in during previous seasons: 2016 Top 15 Prospects 2017 Top 15 Prospects 2018 Top 15 Prospects 2019 Top 15 Prospects 2020 Top 15 Prospects Now, let’s get to it! 15. Akil Baddoo OF Taking over this spot from Wander Javier, Baddoo has had somewhat of a similar professional trajectory. He’s been hurt plenty and there’s still much more projection than actual results. However, he’ll play 2021 at 22-years-old and has already reached High-A. Growing into his body more and increasing muscle mass, there’s an exciting combination of strength and speed. He needs to begin producing on the field, but the ceiling is one to get excited about. 14. Gilberto Celestino OF Celestino is on the 40-man roster and could play in the big leagues right now from a defensive standpoint. It was good for him to be at CHS Field in 2020 and get additional coaching in what could’ve been a lost year. The Twins are still looking for the additional come-up on the Ryan Pressly trade, and it’s this kid that could end up providing it. 13. Matt Wallner OF The Minnesota native will be 23 when he gets back into a professional game having lost his age-22 season. However, Wallner is an advanced bat that has a plus arm. He’s probably more Trevor Larnach than he is Brent Rooker when it comes to athleticism, and that’s a good thing. Reaching Cedar Rapids in his first pro season was a nice showing, and he could be pushed through the system quickly if everything continues to go according to plan. 12. Matt Canterino RHP On the outside of my top 10 but looking in, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Canterino as a top-5 Twins prospect a year from now. He’s got a great arm and was nothing short of dominant in his first seven professional outings. He’ll be 23 in 2021 and I wouldn’t be shocked if the Twins look to get him extended time at Double-A Wichita. He could be a part of the next wave behind the likes of Balazovic and Duran. 11. Lewis Thorpe LHP Seeing somewhat of a slip for the Aussie in 2020 was a disappointing reality. Thorpe has always looked like the lefty to bet on in the Twins system, and I really thought he was in for a breakout. Initially dealing with some personal issues during Spring Training, and then fighting ineffectiveness when he was out there, 2020 was as forgettable for Lewis as it was anyone. The talent is all there, and so is the stuff, but it’ll be on him to close the gap between the ears. 10. Aaron Sabato 1B I struggled with where to put Sabato as I think what happens and what could go wrong are both pretty straightforward. The former Tar Heel’s bat is beyond legit, but so too is his limit when it comes to impact. He’s never going to move off first base and may ultimately be a designated hitter. There’s less swing and miss than Rooker here, and the floor is probably a bit safer. Without him having played a professional game though, this feels right. 9. Keoni Cavaco SS Entirely projection is what you’ve got to go off on Cavaco. He was an extreme helium pick and only got in 20 games before his professional career was put on hold. He’s 19-years-old and will start 2021 at that age. Likely destined to play for the newly designated Low-A Mighty Mussels, Cavaco will have to prove he can stick at shortstop. Playing third base during his prep career, the hope is that the bat develops power, and his 35/4 K/BB was just part of the acclimation process. 8. Brent Rooker OF/1B If you were waiting on Brent Rooker’s bat to play in the big leagues before believing, the seven-game sample size certainly didn’t do anything to calm your excitement. It was a short debut, but he crushed the baseball, posted a .960 OPS, and launched his first Major League home run. A fractured forearm ended his season, but he’s all systems go and should be looking at an Opening Day roster spot in 2021. 7. Blayne Enlow RHP I might be a bit higher on Enlow than most, but I think this is the next Twins pitching prospect to take a big leap. The front office prioritized him in a draft a couple of years ago, and he’s flashed great stuff since. Enlow will be 22 in 2021, but he’s already reached High-A. The strikeouts need to keep rising, but he’s got some electricity to his arm and has done a good job of avoiding substantial damage. Another step forwards and he’ll make another leap on this list. 6. Ryan Jeffers C Like Rooker, Jeffers made his Major League debut in 2020. With Mitch Garver fighting both injury and ineffectiveness the Twins needed to turn to their rising prospect. In 26 games he posted a .791 OPS and did a fine job behind the plate. When drafted the narrative was that the bat would play but uncertainty remained about whether he could hack it behind the plate. Minnesota believed he could, and while that remains a work in progress, a pairing with Garver should give Rocco Baldelli two solid options. 5. Jhoan Duran RHP There were a couple of different points that a Duran promotion seemed like a good bet during 2020, but the Twins ultimately never went that direction. He’s got a near triple-digit fastball and I heard plenty of great reports from the people I checked on him with. He probably has a higher ceiling than the pitching prospect ranked higher than him on this list, but the floor is more volatile as well. 4. Trevor Larnach OF For the duration they’ve been in the system together it’s been hard to separate Larnach and Kirilloff. They are virtually the same player with the former having had some college seasoning and the latter having a bit of youth on his side. I’d give Larnach the edge when it comes to athleticism, but both should be seen as advanced bats with unmatched upside especially at the plate. 3. Jordan Balazovic RHP Hailing from Canada, Balazovic has entrenched himself as the Twins top pitching prospect. He has the right mix of high ceiling ability with a very projectable and safe floor. I’d be pretty shocked if he ends up flaming out and working as a reliever. There may not be ace potential here but expecting him to be a two or three is hardly a lofty expectation. 2. Royce Lewis SS Minnesota’s top prospect for the past two years drops a spot for me, but only because I think the year without game action leaves some uncertainty. I’ve been bullish on Lewis, and even if he doesn’t stick at shortstop, I think he’s an All-Star caliber talent. While his ceiling is unquestionably higher than Kirilloff’s, there’s also a more volatile floor here. I really wanted to see how Royce would bounce back in 2020, and despite glowing reports from the alternate site, we didn’t get actual evaluation opportunity. I’m not betting against him by any means. 1. Alex Kirilloff OF/1B Talk about being thrown into the fire as Kirilloff was asked to make his Major League debut during an elimination game in the Postseason. He could be ticketed for the starting left field role on Opening Day in 2021, and there’s no reason he shouldn’t be expected to at least match Eddie Rosario’s production level. Kirilloff’s bat is the real deal, and while his arm won’t play quite as high, there’s no reason not to get excited about his prognosis as a regular. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

Turning down opportunities each of the past two seasons as Thad has speaks volumes to this. They are very close to that breakthrough, and adding that to a resume while still so young is quite a come up.

This was written on Sherman's report earlier, and the point was never really about Levine specifically either.

Welcome to a new era of Minnesota Twins baseball. This isn’t the Terry Ryan regime anymore, and it hasn’t been for quite some time. What was ushered in with Derek Falvey represented a more progressive way of thinking. Unfortunately, the downside to that is having other organizations looking to play copycat. Now that is beginning to come full circle. Last offseason the Twins lost their hitting coach. James Rowson was the architect behind a lineup that hit the most home runs in Major League Baseball history, and his championing of launch angle and exit velocity was a far cry from the contact approach of yesteryear. Rudy Hernandez and Edgar Varela remained, but Twins fans often wondered if Rowson’s departure didn’t explain some of the step backwards this season. While the offseason is hardly aged yet as we head into 2021, the Twins have seen a few coaches poached from their minor league ranks as well. Although it’s big league losses like Rowson and Derek Shelton that resonate most with the casual fan, it’s the absence of names like Tanner Swanson and J.P. Martinez that really signify the strength of organization infrastructure. Today it was announced that Twins General Manager Thad Levine is a “significant player” in the Phillies search for a new head of baseball operations. That’s an appealing job no doubt, given Levine’s hand in retooling the Twins organization. Philadelphia has fallen flat on developing prospects, and now they are Bryce Harper, Aaron Nola, and Zack Wheeler with little else to make a serious run. Orchestrating that turnaround on his own without sharing credit under Falvey has to be an exciting premise. Initially that would seem like a brutal blow for Minnesota. Levine and Falvey have seemingly been connected at the hip, and since their introductory press conference they’ve consistently talked about a collaborative environment. What has become apparent since that time, however, is that Falvey is no stranger to identifying and hiring the right people in the right positions. It’s because of the Twins infrastructure that he has orchestrated that teams are interested in pulling from the club. Ken Rosenthal recently wrote a piece that included bit praising the Twins throughout the contract negotiation period with their arbitration eligible players. Agents noted that Levine was great to work with and that comes across as a glowing report for Minnesota’s GM. Expecting Falvey to find someone internally or externally to replace those shoes is hardly unfathomable, however. That’s not to say losing Levine is without consequence but trusting in the process from the top down has truly become something easy to buy into. I’d prefer not to see Minnesota lose Thad Levine prior to reaching the peak with a World Series that this organization is now directed towards. However, as architectural as he has been throughout the years here, I believe the process and structure in place will continue bearing fruit regardless of the replacement. The Twins have turned themselves into an organization akin to the Tampa Bay Rays from a front office and coaching perspective. That’s more than an enviable reality to look into. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

Yesterday presented the most single-day baseball action we’ve seen all offseason. As the non-tender deadline came and went, teams needed to decide on which arbitration eligible players they’d issue new contracts to for the 2021 season. In total 56 new players became free agents yesterday. Now, are any of them fits for the Twins?On Minnesota’s front, five of their seven eligible players were tendered new contracts. Eddie Rosario was placed on outright waivers and went unclaimed. Matt Wisler was the surprise of the group, and despite a 1.07 ERA in 2020, he was sent packing as a non-tender casualty as well. The greatest areas of need for the Twins remain at designated hitter, the pitching staff, and some sort of utility infielder. Nelson Cruz is not yet re-signed to a deal, and the uncertainty regarding a National League continuation of the position only throws a further wrench into things. Minnesota has just three of the five rotation spots locked in, and they’ve now lost both Wisler and Trevor May from their 2020 bullpen. Replacing Ehire Adrianza and Marwin Gonzalez with a backup plan for Josh Donaldson is also of concern. So, who among the new names provide a level of intrigue? In no particular order, here are some of my favorites. Archie Bradley RHP Probably the cream of this crop for me, Bradley served as the Arizona Diamondbacks closer in 2019. The former first round pick owns a career 3.91 ERA and 9.3 K/9. Since moving to relief in 2017 he owns a 2.95 ERA across 234.2 IP. He threw just 18.1 IP in 16 games last season between Arizona and Cincinnati, but this is an arm that could immediately decrease the impact of losing Trevor May. Adam Duvall OF/DH Duvall has never played in the American League, but he could certainly operate as a rotational DH should the Twins not come to terms with Nelson Cruz. He’s also a fine outfielder with some sneaky speed, and there’s plenty of pop in his bat. He’s not a great average or on-base guy, but he does have two separate 30-homer campaigns under his belt. He only played in 98 games with the Braves over the past two seasons, but it resulted in an .852 OPS. Carlos Rodon LHP The third overall pick in the 2014 draft, Rodon went one spot ahead of Kyle Schwarber (also non-tendered yesterday) and two ahead of Twins selection Nick Gordon. A standout at NC State, Rodon owned a pedestrian 4.01 ERA in his first four big league seasons. He blew out in 2019 and returned for just 7.2 IP last year. The velocity drop is not good, but a lefty with a consistent slider could appeal to Minnesota. He’s probably ticketed for relief, but he’ll be just 28 in 2021. David Dahl OF Maybe the most talented played on this list, Dahl is a case of a guy that just hasn’t stayed healthy. He was a 10th overall pick and routinely racked as a top-100 prospect. In four seasons with the Rockies he has an .828 OPS and that goes all the way up to .867 if you throw out a bad 24 game sample in 2020. The problem is he’s played just 264 career games. There’s good speed, good pop, and good defense here, and he’s a starting caliber outfielder if you need him to be. He’d be another left-handed bat for the Twins, but this is probably an upgrade on Jake Cave. Keeping him on the field is the question. Jose Urena RHP It wasn’t long ago that Jose Urena was operating as the Miami Marlins Opening Day starter. In 2017 and 2018 he combined to produce a 3.90 ERA. Unfortunately, it’s been mostly downhill from there. His 2019 ended throwing just 84.2 IP and he owns a 5.25 ERA over the past two seasons. A change of scenery could do him some good and getting away from consistent matchups against Ronald Acuna Jr. isn’t a bad idea either. He’s a pretty heavy sinker/slider guy, and though the strikeouts aren’t really there, that’s a profile Minnesota has gravitated towards. Ryne Stanek RHP Another Marlins pitcher, and former Tampa Bay Rays arm, Stanek is a hard thrower with a good slider. His fastball velocity has dropped in recent seasons, but Wes Johnson may be able to unlock the 98-mph cheddar he had with Tampa. A career 10.9 K/9 is nothing to scoff at and Stanek was one of the guys Tampa initially implemented as an opener. Keynan Middleton RHP Just 27-years-old, Middleton has been through the ringer of sorts. He posted a 3.23 ERA with the Angels in his first three big-league seasons, and also notched nine saves. He’s thrown just 37.1 IP and appeared in only 40 G since 2018 however and has also undergone Tommy John surgery. The velocity actually rebounded well in 2020, getting back up to 97 mph, and he’s predominantly a fastball/slider pitcher. You’re gambling on health to a certain extent, but this is a guy that previously looked to be a part of a core for the Los Angeles bullpen. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

On Wednesday, the Minnesota Twins will need to decide whether or not they’ll tender a contract to left fielder Eddie Rosario for the 2021 Major League Baseball season. He's already been placed on outright waivers, so they would be negotiating for less than his projected arbitration value. A 4th round pick in 2010, he’s been in the organization for a decade since he was a 19-year-old. A changing of the guard could be coming involving a core player, and it’s worth looking back on the impact he’s had. Rosario was selected out of high school in Puerto Rico as a second basemen, and he stuck there pretty regularly through his first four professional seasons. At that point it was determined his arm was an underutilized asset, and his glove on the dirt simply wasn’t going to get the job done. By 2012 he’d cracked a top 100 prospect list (Baseball Prospectus) and prior to 2014 he landed 60th from the same publication. It was in 2014 that adversity caught up with Rosario a bit as he received a 50-game suspension for a drug of abuse. This was something that there had been rumblings about for some time but was brought to the forefront through the failed test. A maturation process was going to be necessary, and it was one that ultimately took place leading to a Major League debut in 2015. To this point the Twins have had Rosario play in 697 career games with a .277/.310/.478 slash line. His last four seasons have amounted to an .810 OPS and some of the breakout power potential that was expected from him. He contributed 32 dingers to the 2019 Bomba Squad’s tally, and despite lacking any real on-base presence, remained a run producer at the plate. In the outfield there’s been flashes of brilliance from a guy with such a strong right arm. Putting up gaudy DRS numbers on somewhat of a scattered basis, injury and an inconsistent motor are the only things that have held him back from entering elite territory when in the field. Any given night can result in Twitter faithful providing reminders not to run on his rocket arm, and that ability should carry well into his 30’s. Should Minnesota decide to non-tender their home-grown outfielder it won’t be due to lack of talent. The OPS hovering around .800 is a strong number, but an arbitration figure teetering on $10 million is quite a lot for a player that has replaceable qualities and is battling with internal talent expected to be as good or better. There should be no shock if Rosario goes elsewhere and flourishes. He did well with former Twins hitting coach James Rowson, and a mutual fit in Miami could make sense for a plethora of reasons. Rosario was among the prospects Twins fans waited on for years, and he’s parlayed that into six years of production that will be missed should his time be up. No matter what happens, Minnesota’s hot stove gets cooking forcibly sooner rather than later. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

Probably depends on how much St. Paul had to pay of the $20M affiliate fee considering they were already self sufficient, but I'd agree.

The roster should certainly have a more impactful draw to it. The Saints are a great experience, but I can't say I've ever cared about the result or followed the team. Now you have an otherwise interested fanbase built in.

He goes golfing?

As has been the expectation now for week, the St. Paul Saints will officially join the Minnesota Twins organization in 2021 per reports from the Star Tribune. Previously playing in the American Association as an Independent Baseball team, they’ll now assume the role of the Twins Triple-A affiliate. For years there has been talk about the convenience having an affiliate just down I-94 would provide the Twins. Then during the pandemic shortened season, CHS Field acted as the alternate site for the Major League club. With Major League Baseball throwing around its weight and controlling baseball across the country, a massive reshuffling has taken place. Gone are roughly 40 minor league clubs as 120 total affiliates is the new number. Regional restructuring has taken place, and new draft feeder leagues have emerged. Impacting the Twins is a new partner at the highest minor league level. Having been affiliated with the Rochester Red Wings since 2003, the Minnesota Twins will now turn a new chapter in their developmental history. The Saints were founded in 1993 and were originally part of the Northern League prior to joining the American Association. As it’s the Saints joining the Twins organization, they’ll inherit talent from within. Minnesota will now send Triple-A destined prospects to St. Paul rather than Rochester. This means that the players previously under contract with the Saints will be displaced throughout Independent Baseball. Per reporter Chelsea Ladd, there have been talks the American Association will hold a draft of sorts to find those players new teams. Also, of note is the Twins swapping their Double-A affiliate. After just one season working with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, the Twins will now join forces with the Wichita Wind Surge. The Wind Surge were originally scheduled to operate as the Miami Marlins Triple-A affiliate, with 2020 being their first season. Obviously with the pandemic that never happened. It’s not great news for Wichita, who will drop a level in with the affiliation, but Minnesota inherits a closer Double-A club and one that is opening a brand-new ballpark and facilities. Certainly, Major League Baseball expanding its reach across Major League, Minor League, and now even amateur baseball is a suboptimal development. Having such a monopoly over the sport, ownership groups continue to line their pockets while paydays for future generations of talent can continue to be stifled. However, if you’re simply a Twins fan, having the ability to watch future franchise pieces just 13 miles from Target Field, and a driveable journey to Wichita as a possibility, isn’t the worst silver lining. For years, the St. Paul Saints possibility has been kicked around, and now in the first year it will happen top prospects like Royce Lewis, Alex Kirilloff, Jordan Balazovic, and Jhoan Duran should all be featured for a time in St. Paul. We may have to wait through the waning stages of a pandemic to see them in person, but a new era of baseball in Twins Territory has been ushered in. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

Littell did have an elbow issue in August. However, it seemed he immediately got behind the eight ball with that original ugly outing.

Going into the 2019 Major League Baseball season the Twins had few question marks more glaring than what their bullpen would look like. Fast forward to season’s end and it was among the best units in baseball. That happened largely because of internal development, and Zack Littell was part of that. Acquired from the New York Yankees, Littell had pitched a brief 20.1 innings during the 2018 season. Working as both a starter and reliever in his debut year, he moved completely to the pen in 2019. Across 37.0 IP Littell posted a 2.68 ERA and 171 ERA+. While he wasn’t counted upon as one of Rocco Baldelli’s top arms, he consistently got the job done. Fast forward to 2020 and Littell seemed to quickly fall out of favor with the big-league club. He was given just 6.1 IP this past season, and after a disastrous debut in which he allowed three homers and four runs in just a single inning to White Sox hitters, there wasn’t much more opportunity from there. Ultimately Littell was DFA’d from the 40-man, and after passing through waivers unclaimed, was assigned to the alternate site in St. Paul. What Minnesota really has here is probably something in the middle of the two extremes. As good as the ERA was in 2020, Littell still owned a 3.62 FIP and whiffed just 7.8 per nine while allowing 2.2 free passes per nine. He saw nearly a 2 mph jump on his fastball velocity once moving to the pen full time, and the 12.8% swinging strike rate in 2019 was nearly double the mark set the year before. Without pitching in too many high leverage situations though, it was on the basis of a relatively untested arm. Given the emergence of guys like Tyler Duffey and Caleb Thielbar, opportunities dwindled for someone on the fringe. Minnesota tabbed Matt Wisler as a worthy project right away during the 2019 offseason however, and Littell feels like someone worth investing in this time around. Should the Twins not add him back to the 40-man, he’d be a free agent, but letting g of talent like that needing to fill spots in the pen seems foolish. There was next to no amount of normalization when it comes to production in 2020. With the season being just 60 games, a small sample size was the absolute best you’d be able to get. Having chopped up opportunity as Littell did, and seemingly losing his stature during the first week of the season, it’d be great to see him compete with a traditional runway once again. If Minnesota is truly going to shave payroll in response to decreased revenues during 2020, then making sure there’s an adequate amount of low-cost, high-performing talents internally is a must. That may mean there’s a revolving door for some spots until they get it right, but it can’t mean moving on from options prior to determining what is truly there. Zack Littell looks the part of a bounce-back contributor next season and giving up on that possibility when he’s just 25-years-old would be a mistake. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz