Ted Schwerzler

Last season, the Twins provided a compelling season for fans on the field. There are plenty of outlets determined to tell those stories, and Twins Territory landed a big name when Bobby Nightengale showed up at the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports If you’ve read Major League Baseball coverage for any amount of time, you have certainly come across the name Bob Nightengale. A columnist for USA Today and the chairman for the Arizona chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of American, Nightengale is synonymous with breaking news. He isn’t the only one in the family, however. Bobby is Nightengale’s son, and covering the sport is something that runs in the family. Starting as an associate reporter covering the Detroit Tigers back in 2013, Nightengale eventually found himself working for The Cincinnati Enquirer as a beat writer for the Reds. Transitioning to the Twins was a smooth move, as Minnesota had been home when he was just seven years old. The ability to come full circle and join Phi Miller was exciting, and year two in Minnesota should bring plenty more fun. This offseason, I caught up with Nightengale to hear a bit more about his story and what he’s excited for in the year ahead. Twins Daily: You came to know Minnesota at seven years old, and have seen plenty of baseball in the time since. How has your baseball fandom and appreciation changed as you have made it a profession? Bobby Nightengale: I've always been more of a fan of certain players than teams, although the 2002 and '03 Twins teams were a blast to watch. Tony Gwynn and Juan Gonzalez were my favorite players as a kid, so I was all over the place. TD: Coming to the Twins after covering the Reds, did you contact Derek Falvey ahead of time and urge him to establish the Cincinnati pipeline with players like Sonny Gray, Kyle Farmer, Tyler Mahle, and Jeff Hoffman? BN: I did tell people in the Reds front office when I left that they should keep making trades, so I could sound smarter knowing the background of players. It was nice coming into the Twins clubhouse and seeing some familiar faces, though. TD: Your dad is synonymous with baseball reporting and writing. What is that like to view as a family member, and how has his influence helped your growth? BN: I've probably read 99 percent of the stories he's written over the last couple of decades, so he's had a big impact on me. I always knew I wanted to work in sports, probably because of him, and it's been fun to bounce ideas off each other after I became a writer. We've had some cool experiences together, like covering a no-hitter in Oakland, and he was at Target Field for the Wild Card round this year. TD: Having observed the Twins from afar, and now having covered them intimately, how has your understanding of the organization changed? What have you learned? BN: I thought the clubhouse had a more veteran feel than I expected. They didn't panic during losing streaks and the mood didn't swing much when they were on their path to a division title, either. As for the organization, I don't think I realized how many low-round picks, particularly pitchers, the Twins turn into useful contributors. TD: The Reds have traditionally been in a much different place than the Twins were of late. What about that is exciting in providing coverage and stories surrounding the team? BN: This year was the first time I covered a team that won a playoff series since I was an MLB.com intern in Detroit in 2013. My job doesn't change whether it's a 100-win team or a 100-loss team, but it was fun to see the Target Field atmosphere in the postseason. TD: Your first year on the beat was a successful one for the Twins. What about this team and how they head into 2024 has you thinking sustained success can happen? BN: The Twins are in a good place with their pitching. It was stellar in 2023, and they still have a nice core to work with. Losing Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda hurts, but Pablo Lopez showed in the postseason he could take another step forward. The ballpark helps, but they've shown they can maximize the talent from pitchers they add, like Gray and Maeda. TD: With plenty of knowledge surrounding Cincinnati as a whole, what places and sights should Twins fans be seeking out when traveling to Great American Ballpark in 2025? BN: Skyline Chili is the staple food of the region and I think it's worth trying. They've done a nice job building the surrounding area with bars and restaurants, and the Reds Hall of Fame, which is really well done, is next door to the ballpark. TD: Phil Miller has been an established voice at the Star Tribune for some time. What things were you able to learn from him in year one, and what are you most excited about in continuing to establish your voice in this market? BN: I think Phil is the best writer I've worked with. I'll watch a game that I thought was boring because not a ton happened or it was a blowout, and he has a unique ability to turn it into a must-read story. He has a good sense of humor, too. For myself, I'm just excited for my first full season on the Twins beat. TD: End it with a prediction. What’s a Twins storyline you think would be fun or could play out in 2024? A rookie to step up, or established player to go off? BN; Kody Funderburk will become one of the core pieces of the bullpen and he'll step into a late-inning role. You can follow Bobby on Twitter, here. Make sure to watch for his coverage on the Twins throughout 2024 and beyond. View full article

When Rocco Baldelli arrived in the American League Central, it was the domain of the venerable Terry Francona. After just two years, Hall of Famer Tony La Russa joined the fray. Heading into 2024, though, Baldelli finds himself the grand old man of the division. Image courtesy of Peter Aiken-USA TODAY Sports After one bridge season with inherited skipper Paul Molitor, Derek Falvey turned the manager position for the Minnesota Twins over to former Tampa Bay Rays first-round pick Rocco Baldelli. The move was one of connection, mainly in hopes that the new manager would be able to both disseminate information and generate buy-in from the current roster. Fast-forward to where we are now: Baldelli has been the man at Minnesota's helm in the past five seasons. He won the American League Manager of the Year Award in 2019, in his first season, and has captured three division titles. Despite the turbulence during his tenure, he has been a steadying presence. In 2024, Baldelli will enter the season as the most tenured among American League Central managers. With the divisional group seeing significant turnover, his experience will be given a chance to shine. After 23 years as a manager (the last 11 of them as the head man of the Cleveland Guardians), Terry Francona has hung up his uniform and stepped aside. Rather than going with bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr., the Guardians tabbed former catcher Stephen Vogt as their next man in charge. He worked with the Seattle Mariners in 2023 after retiring the previous fall, but this is his first taste of such major responsibility. Unlike some of his competition, Vogt is on the Mike Matheny and Brad Ausmus path, stepping in without significant experience. The hope would be that a former player can connect with the current contingent at a level that makes communication relatively straightforward. What Vogt lacks in experience, he could make up in mutual understanding. However, how he dissects a game from the dugout remains to be seen and could leave plenty to be desired. That's the same conundrum the Twins faced when they hired Baldelli, at the same age Vogt is now. Communication is the first job of a manager in today’s game, and that is why Dusty Baker, Bruce Bochy, and Baldelli can all be successful. However, when it comes to carving out a tactical advantage, there should be an expectation that Vogt will have plenty to learn. The White Sox are sticking with Pedro Grifol, who survived a catastrophic 2023. They underachieved and could be looking at a total overhaul at the major-league level in 2024. How he manages that remains to be seen, but it stands to reason that Chicago hopes he provides a path into the future. Ron Gardenhire dealt with a rebuild in Detroit before turning things over, but had significant big-league experience under his belt. Like fellow sophomore manager Matt Quatraro, of the also-rebuilding Royals, Grifol has overseen plenty of minor-league action, but this is the first time he is being asked to usher in a change of scenery at the highest level. Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch has been there and done that, having won a World Series and captured a pair of American League pennants with the Houston Astros. While he was tied to the trash can-banging scandal, there is no denying that his teams were incredibly talented and that Hinch could pull the most out of them. Hired as the Tigers' skipper, there was a belief in his ability, which will now have a chance to show itself. Detroit was up against a poor roster for some time in recent seasons. Still, after moving on from former Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, the franchise clearly sought to establish a new expectation in the culture. Trending upward with youth production from the likes of Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, and Tarik Skubal, the franchise is fully unlocked thanks to the retirement of the boat anchor that was Miguel Cabrera’s contract. Baldelli might not have the longevity in his résumé that some of his competition does, but he has been tested in different scenarios at the highest level for some time now. He boasts the most talented roster in the Central, and he has been given ample time to build an understanding of how to utilize it. Tactically, Baldelli isn't looking to just develop a team as much as he is finding a way for his to execute. The Twins are expected to win now and consistently, and that has been the case almost since he first arrived. Those competing against his club don't have the same expectations, and that should be something the elder statesman of the group can use to his advantage. How funds are spent remains to be seen. So far, Kenta Maeda and Andrew Chafin have been brought in alongside the big deal given to Javier Baez. Outside of Detroit, little has been done to shift any sort of belief among contenders. Alone among the Twins' rivals, though, the Tigers have a leader who has experienced the highest level of success, and positioning himself to overtake Baldelli at the top of the division is the goal. For Minnesota, seeing how Baldelli handles himself against two managers who are still finding their way and are incredibly green is uncertain. Hinch might still need to get the team to go toe-to-toe, but he is a tactician who has won it all. Baldelli is established. Still, his execution will be scrutinized nightly regarding, and Hinch's presence is part of why the Tigers are a lurking threat. Where do you think Baldelli ranks among the division's managers? Can he translate his experience into a tangible advantage for the Twins? View full article

Absolutely they will. That's how they landed on Stewart, and it's what Hoffman was too. Like Hoffman and Coulombe though, there's no guarantee they keep the right guys.

This Minnesota Twins front office does not spend money on the bullpen. In an offseason in which they face stricter financial constraints, anyway, that seems unlikely to change. On which internal options can they win a roll of the dice in 2024? Image courtesy of Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports Since Derek Falvey and Thad Levine took over the Minnesota Twins' front office, they have not been interested in paying for relief pitchers. The one time they did so, offering Addison Reed a two-year deal shy of $17 million, it blew up in their faces. With Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, Caleb Thielbar, and others among their 2024 options, it doesn’t seem likely a cost-cutting team will spend there this year. That means Rocco Baldelli will be handed some unproven arms to fill out his bullpen, and while someone in there might become the next Brock Stewart, others will flame out. The 40-man roster is flush with options, but minor-league contracts will also bring in external candidates. Who ends up going north for Opening Day remains to be seen. Here are some names to watch: Brock Stewart A 40-man member for Minnesota already, Stewart is a lock as a late-inning reliever. The problem is that he’s coming off an injury that kept him out until right before the postseason in 2023, and he has an unfortunate injury history, overall. Stewart was exceptional for the Twins last season, but he contributed just 27 2/3 innings. If he can be healthy all season, he showed good enough stuff to slot in as Durán’s setup man. For a guy who hasn’t thrown 30 innings in a single season since 2017, though, it’s hard to project a full season of work. Minnesota did an excellent job targeting him a year ago, and what innings he does provide should be strong. The question is quantity, rather than quality. Jorge Alcala Over the past few seasons, no one has held down a place on the 40-man roster while producing less value than Alcalá has. He, too, has impressive talent, but it hasn't always translated to success against big-league hitters. Throwing just 17 1/3 inconsistent innings for the Twins last year, he also spent time at Triple-A. He has flashed productivity this offseason in winter league action, but it is more of the same. If Alcalá could stay healthy, Minnesota could start to feel better about the Ryan Pressly trade. He's now arbitration-eligible, though, and the waiting game is getting old. This may be the final season in which the Twins give him a chance, but all sides are hoping that patience pays off in a big way. Matt Canterino Now on the 40-man roster, the former second-round pick didn’t pitch at all in 2023. Rice doesn’t have a great track record of protecting the arms and maximizing the professional futures of their pitchers, but this one could follow in the footsteps of Tyler Duffey and survive long enough to carve out a big-league career. While he was initially used as a starter, the relief route was the way to go all along. Canterino has dealt with a lot over the past year. Losing a season to Tommy John surgery, his focus has been rehab and recovery with 2024 as a goal for his debut. When pitching previously during spring training, his stuff looked legit, and he could be a weapon as soon as the big club is ready to deploy him. The surgery doesn't take away how impressive the fastball plays up in the zone, and it definitely will remain a plus offering. Canterino could emerge as an immediate weapon in relief if a Jhoan Duran-type transition from starter to reliever is made in camp. Jordan Balazovic There was a time when Balazovic was the next big thing for the Twins' pitching pipeline, much like Fernando Romero, but circumstances have drastically changed. After a terrible 2022 influenced by injury, his 2023 wasn’t much better, despite making a major-league debut. His strikeout stuff from the minors didn't come with across town, and he issued free passes at ridiculous rates while giving up dingers to boot. On the 40-man roster heading into the 2024 season, Balazovic has been formally transitioned to the pen, according to Falvey. He needs to find substantially better command, but realistically, the stuff can make him a weapon if a few tweaks are made. This switch to short relief is his last chance to be a disappointment as profound as Romero turned out to be. Cole Sands How Sands is utilized could be a big thing to watch for in 2024. He was handed the final bullpen spot last season over the likes of both Jeff Hoffman and Danny Coulombe. Minnesota felt a need to have a long reliever, and Sands fit the bill. As a starter, it looked like there was upside as he progressed through the system, but his stuff could play up better in the bullpen. In 2021, Sands put up a 2.46 ERA for Double-A Wichita in 80 1/3 innings. He punched out plenty but gave up 3.9 walks per nine innings. Taking a step backward in 2022, the stuff was entirely too hittable. Sands found something that worked at Triple-A last season, but the success didn't translate to the major-league level. Going from a long man destined to eat innings to a legitimate shutdown arm would show substantial growth. Josh Winder Drafted as a seventh-round starter from the Virginia Military Institute, Winder took his time to show value for Minnesota. He took the ball as a starter in 11 of his 15 outings for the Twins in 2022. He provided mediocre results and did little to push the envelope for his future inclusion in the rotation. Behind Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, and even Louie Varland, Winder lingered briefly as a starting candidate. Minnesota converted him to a reliever in 2023, though, and the 34 2/3 innings he pitched in that role were unimpressive. In 2024, he'll have to find a better way to handle the vagaries of relief duty, with its unpredictable and sometimes daily schedule. The Twins will likely target multiple arms on minor-league contracts, in hopes of making something stick. This front office has gotten things right before, but missing on Jeff Hoffman and Danny Coulombe in 2023 is an ugly stain. Hopefully, they can roll enough 7s for 2024 and target the right names to supplement the group along the way. View full article

They already let the Brewers take him in the Rule 5 a year ago.

They left him Rule 5 eligible last year and just traded two 40 Man guys just to clear space for Ohtani/Kelly

Strong agree here

When the Minnesota Twins entered this offseason, they knew there were a few critical areas to improve the roster. Much of the bullpen is expected to carry over from last season, but they need reinforcement there. Why not start with a familiar name? Image courtesy of © Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports It's a familiar surname, anyway: Gus Varland is the older brother of Twins pitcher Louie Varland. The pair are Minnesota natives who played collegiate baseball for highly respected Team USA coach Mark McKenzie. Thinking Varland could be available doesn’t take too much of a leap either, and the Los Angeles Dodgers may find something usable from Minnesota’s farm system. The Dodgers left the elder Varland unprotected for the Rule 5 Draft a season ago. He was a 14th-round pick by the Oakland Athletics during the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft and reached Double A for Los Angeles in 2022. Having transitioned from a starter to a reliever, Varland saw a big jump in his strikeout rates, but was held back by walks and the long ball. Despite some questions about how it would work, the Milwaukee Brewers took Varland in the Rule 5 Draft, and he made their 2023 Opening Day roster. Working just 8 2/3 innings for the Brewers while dealing with some injury concerns, he allowed 11 earned runs and tallied a 6-to-8 (not a misprint) strikeout-to-walk ratio. Ultimately, Varland returned to the Dodgers and resurfaced for 11 2/3 innings at the major-league level, in which he allowed just four earned runs and had 14 strikeouts against eight walks. Varland is still far from a polished product, but his work at Triple-A Oklahoma City makes him intriguing for the Twins. Across 33 1/3 innings of work in the Pacific Coast League last season, he tallied a sparkling 2.16 ERA. The strikeout stuff has been there for the duration of his time as a reliever, and he also started to turn a corner when it came to command. Now 27 years old, Varland still has three minor-league options available, but he would need to be added to the Twins' 40-man roster. They can make room, and the bullpen could reflect something that the San Francisco Giants have done by employing both Taylor Rogers and Tyler Rogers. Minnesota has already worked through a transition of Louie to relief, and although that may not stick for 2024, he has flashed triple-digit heat that made him a real weapon down the stretch. Gus is not the same pitcher as his brother, but allowing the Twins to work with his stuff could unlock another level in his game. At the big-league level last year, Varland averaged 95.8 mph on his fastball, while mixing in a changeup and a slider. The Twins have long fancied that pitch mix, and Louie also found himself adding a cutter out of the bullpen. Suppose Rocco Baldelli will be given additional arms for the bullpen beyond those already established. In that case, the expectation should be for them to be low-level additions or minor-league deals. Minnesota could again find a diamond in the rough, as they did with Brock Stewart last year, but the acquisition cost for Varland shouldn’t be substantial either. He could immediately be placed in low-leverage spots with an ability to work extra innings as Cole Sands was asked to do starting out the 2023 season. Derek Falvey may determine that the bullpen is set and the blueprint already constructed is the way they want to go. That said, pairing the Varland brothers is appealing, if the Twins want to get creative and try to grab someone with stuff to work with. View full article

In the grand scheme, there has been very little action this offseason. With 2023 coming to an end, this might be the last full week of work before holiday time off sets in--and therefore, a busy one. Image courtesy of © Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports Every organization convened in Nashville, and only the New York Yankees did much of consequence, dealing for Juan Soto and lesser outfield light Alex Verdugo. After Shohei Ohtani broke his silence Saturday, though, maybe the windfall we have been told to expect will finally come. Shohei Gets What? After Jon Morosi originally set the baseball world on fire with a report that Ohtani was on a plane to Toronto, it was turned on its head, as that report was proven false. A day later, Ohtani himself took to Instagram and announced he would sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Playing for Dave Roberts’s team was always the most likely destination, but no one could have predicted the payday. It seemed that a $500-million deal could be on the table, but there were a few insiders who predicted a pact short even of that. Not only did Ohtani clear the half-billion mark, but he got $700 million over 10 years, with no opts-outs. Yes, there are substantial deferrals in the deal to help out the Dodgers pursuits of other talent, but he blew by Mike Trout, Patrick Mahomes, Lionel Messi, and every other North American athlete ever. Royals to the World Series! Kansas City agreed to a one-year deal with left-handed pitcher Will Smith. All he does is win World Series rings, and he’s coming off one with the Texas Rangers. Before that, Smith also won a ring with the Astros in 2022, and Braves in 2021. The lefty is known for his overhand style and good slider, and Minnesota catcher Ryan Jeffers was ready when stepping in against him during 2023. There is almost no way the Royals actually play in the World Series during 2024, but having Smith on their roster has to up the odds in some way. Maybe, if nothing else, they can trade him to a team who ends up there, come July. Jorge Polanco Heating Up Before Morosi had a bad source on Ohtani, he had a good one on Polanco. Minnesota has received interest in their veteran second baseman, and it has become more likely that Polanco will be moved. Edouard Julien has taken over at second base, and the cost-cutting Twins could benefit by flipping Polanco’s $10.5 million salary for something they need more. The Seattle Mariners remain a great fit as potential trade partners, but the market could be robust given how poor the free-agent landscape is. Jean Segura was expensive and mediocre last year. What Merrifield isn’t what he used to be. Polanco would be the cream of that crop, so the Twins have a chance to profit by cultivating a wide pool of interested suitors. Don't read too much into this, but Polanco is not among the confirmed names for TwinsFest at the end of January. Tigers Make a Move Detroit has ample money to spend after the retirement of Miguel Cabrera, and they have young talent in Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, and Tarik Skubal. They need to find a way for Javier Baez to produce something, but A.J. Hinch’s team appears on the verge of overtaking both Cleveland and Chicago in the AL Central. They haven’t made a big splash yet, but bringing back Andrew Chafin Sunday was a good move. The lefty pitched for both the Diamondbacks and Brewers in 2023, with mediocre results. Now, though, he returns to a Tigers team with whom he owned a 2.83 ERA and 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings in 2022. He posted three saves for them, and his 3.06 FIP suggested the production was legit. Chafin could factor in as their top southpaw setup man in 2024. Kenta Maeda gave them depth in the rotation, and Chafin does the same for their relief corps. Minnesota’s last transaction took place on Nov. 20, when they re-signed Jovani Moran to a minor-league deal. They had made multiple trades by this point a season ago, and the Christian Vazquez and Joey Gallo signings followed right behind those. With Polanco and Kyle Farmer as trade chips, it stands to reason their markets could take shape soon. Maybe we see Max Kepler dealt too, but as of now, he’s among the names confirmed to be at TwinsFest. It has been reported that Ohtani was holding up the free agency market, and a small handful of moves took place following his signing over the weekend, but maybe this is the week we see substantial action before teams hibernate over the holidays. Joe Mauer continues to poll well in the early going among ballots in the tracker from Ryan Thibodaux. How much does Ohtani’s decision impact a trade partner for Minnesota in the form of the Milwaukee Brewers? What is the first move you’re hoping for the Twins to make? View full article

The Minnesota Twins face payroll constraints, as they try to build a division winner again in 2024. They need an outfielder with some versatility and athleticism, who can add right-handed offense. Is their best bet to turn to the centerpiece of one of their biggest trades in years? Image courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports When Derek Falvey decided to send Jose Berrios north (er, technically, east-southeast, but you get the idea) in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, many were impressed with how much Minnesota got back. They not only wrested away pitching prospect Simeon Woods Richardson, but netted former fifth overall pick Austin Martin. The value was considered substantial then, and Berríos needed a long-term contract. Fast-forward to where we are now: both players have seen their stock drop since joining the Twins organization. Woods Richardson has made his debut, but the results have been all over the place. Martin fell off Top 100 lists quickly, after topping out at 19th for Baseball America; a disappointing Double-A season in 2022 did most of that damage. By the end of last year, though, Martin was on a tear for the St. Paul Saints, and he even looked like a potential late-season option for the Twins. Playing in only 67 games as he navigated a potential Tommy John issue, Martin took some time to settle in. Ultimately, he posted a very strong .387 OBP with St. Paul, and his 43-to-36 strikeout-to-walk ratio could benefit Rocco Baldelli’s lineup. To this point, Martin’s power potential has not germinated. Minnesota attempted to make swing changes in 2022 with that in focus, but it led to disastrous results. Now, back to being a contact hitter with a remarkable ability to put the bat on the ball, he has never looked closer to making an impact at the highest level. Drafted as a shortstop, that is the position where Martin may now have the least amount of value. He has since become something of an up-the-middle specialist. Logging time at second base and even more in center field, his defense on the grass may be most valuable. That has plenty of room to work for a Twins team that constantly needs contingency plans around and behind Byron Buxton, no matter how optimistic they feel about him at the moment. It seems safe to assume that the offseason moves ahead include an outfielder capable of playing center. While Buxton hopes to be healthy this year, we haven’t seen that in some time. Michael A. Taylor got most of the starts there last year, but is looking for a new home on the open market. Nick Gordon and Willi Castro can play the spot as utility types, and Martin gives Minnesota a third option. As Hunter McCall wrote on Thursday, those three are the top candidates for a utility role the Twins love to cultivate and on which they depend heavily. Both Castro and Gordon remain with the Twins, having been offered contracts through arbitration. Gordon shouldn’t make much more than $1 million this season, and though Castro will be about three times that, he earned the bump with a very nice 2023 season. Martin isn’t going to replace either of them on the Opening Day roster, but he could challenge both early on in 2024. Across his final 37 games at Triple-A last year, Martin owned an .888 OPS with a almost perfect parity in his strikeout and walk rates, plus five home runs. The power was a fun development, but even if that doesn’t stick, Martin found the same process that produced high batting averages at Vanderbilt. Having shown great defensive chops in St. Paul, he could roughly replace Taylor's glove, with an opportunity to be an offensive upgrade. It might be unfortunate that Martin is no longer the star shortstop prospect, but if he becomes the next in the line of usable utility types for Minnesota, that also has plenty of value. The ability to play second base becomes a feather in his cap, but an ability to excel in center may be something the Twins need even more. Martin will come into spring training with an opportunity to impress. He’ll be given starts at Triple A, with the chance to push for more. How quickly he moves across town will depend on the results, but it shouldn’t be long, and he may wind up being just what Minnesota needs for a spark in 2024. View full article

The offseason is still in its infancy, considering the Twins' inactivity. Knowing the roster will look different next season, the front office aims to find a way to get a similar level of production from a new mix. Much of that could come from a strong season out of their top-paid star. Image courtesy of Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports Despite handing Sonny Gray a qualifying offer this offseason, it was always expected that the Twins would let the runner-up for the American League Cy Young Award walk away. Kenta Maeda also left for a new organization, and while his lost production isn't as great, many fans are left wondering how Derek Falvey will replace them. Rocco Baldelli will need more arms in his starting rotation, but replacing the production on the roster doesn’t have to come from only pitching. The Twins can be a good pitching team again this season, with Lopez back, Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober still developing, and a healthy Chris Paddack in tow. It would also be in their best interest to take a significant step forward offensively. They got little from Byron Buxton in 2023, and we can’t assume that that will change in 2024. It's the equally disappointing Carlos Correa who needs to bounce back in a way that will send ripple effects throughout the roster. After moving on from rescinded offers by the San Francisco Giants and the New York Mets, Correa agreed to a six-year deal to remain with the Twins. In 2022, he posted a 4.4 fWAR, and even that was a slight decrease from his final year playing with the Astros. Unfortunately, he got nowhere near that level of success in 2023 with Minnesota, and that’s largely why the offense struggled. Despite playing in just one fewer game than the previous year, Correa saw his batting average drop by 61 points and went from a 138 OPS+ in 2022 to below league-average, with a 94 OPS+ last season. He accumulated similar totals for doubles and home runs, but had nearly 30 fewer hits overall. Then, there were the rally-killing double plays. Despite never hitting into even 20 double plays during a single season, Correa grounded into a league-worst 30. It’s there that a positive regression might start. Looking back at historical data, the double play issues are unlikely to repeat themselves. Correa has generally been consistent throughout his career. He's a good bet for 20-plus home runs and a batting average closer to .300 than to .250, most years. If he can get the bat back to where it has always been, then Minnesota should see plenty of benefit. There is also the reality that Correa was dealing with a painful plantar fasciitis issue for most of the season. He played through it, but it became apparent at the end of the year just how uncomfortable things had gotten. While the tear finally gave way and allowed some pain to subside, Baldelli gave his shortstop frequent days off down the stretch. Having the foot feel even somewhat better this season should set him up for increased success. Steamer projections have Correa rebounding to a 3.4 fWAR in 2024. That seems like a conservative number, given his career outputs and his age. Returning to an OPS+ near the 130 mark he produced during 2021 and 2022 would be welcomed, and remaining an elite defensive shortstop would also go a long way. The key to much of that is probably health, and with the offseason to recover, there is reason to be cautiously optimistic that it can be achieved. No one expects Correa to get on the mound and start throwing the ball for Minnesota, but the more heavy lifting he can do at the dish, the less pressure there will be on that overhauled pitching staff. The Twins don't have to win games the same way in 2024 as they did in 2023, and that puts the ball on a tee for many to contribute in more significant ways during the year ahead. View full article

He also plays first base, as a right-handed batter.

As the Minnesota Twins look to round out their roster this offseason, it stands to reason that they’ll be active on the trade market. This front office has paired up with the Tampa Bay Rays previously and could do so again in a match for Isaac Paredes. Image courtesy of © Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports When the Detroit Tigers acquired Austin Meadows from the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022, they sent Isaac Paredes and a draft pick in return. About to play 2024 as a 25-year-old, Paredes has been mentioned among the many players Tampa Bay has made available. The Rays have continuously operated by moving assets before they get too expensive, and Paredes reached arbitration in 2024 as a Super 2 candidate. Over at Twins Daily’s sister site for the Chicago Cubs, Matthew Trueblood did an excellent job breaking down what makes Paredes work as a player. There is more than enough information to understand the appeal in a piece filled with visuals. However, where and how he fits for the Twins makes his name interesting. As a right-handed hitter, Paredes and his pull-focused profile align well with Target Field. Last season, he yanked pitches to the pull side 54.5 percent of the time. To put that into perspective, former Twins second baseman Brian Dozier pulled the ball 60 percent of the time in 2015 as a first-time All-Star who launched 28 homers. He did so 56 percent of the time in 2016, when he launched a ridiculous 42 homers. Getting around on the ball is something that Paredes does very well. Not many teams love pulling the baseball like Minnesota, and last year the Twins were fourth in baseball when it comes to yanking pitches. Philosophically, the organization is clearly rooted in driving the ball to the power side. If that's going to remain the case, finding players who already do so is a good idea. The Rays infielder also has strong discipline skills that could boost Minnesota’s lineup. He struck out at around an 18% clip the past two seasons, and his 10% walk rate is also strong. For a Twins lineup that lacked balance between contact and power, along with missing a big right-handed bat, Paredes checks lots of boxes. Where Paredes plays can also be something of interest for Minnesota. He primarily handled the hot corner for Tampa Bay last year, which would put Royce Lewis back into a situation of flux defensively, but he also contributed at first base. The Twins were against playing Lewis in center field last season, but another offseason of work and roster shuffling could ease those reins. If not, Paredes as the first baseman (pairing with a healthy Alex Kirilloff, if such a creature still exists) works, too. Assuming Byron Buxton isn’t the primary designated hitter again, cycling Paredes through additional starts on bat-only days has appeal. Donovan Solano and Willi Castro both played substantially beneficial innings for the Twins last year. The latter is back on an arbitration deal, but the former became a free agent. Rather than looking to catch lightning in a bottle twice as Solano ages, Paredes represents a significant upgrade on what Solano did. The former Silver Slugger winner contributed at three infield positions while acting as the floating right-handed bat, and that's exactly what Paredes can do as well. Even with Steamer projections suggesting a slight decline in output for 2024, a 3.6 fWAR would have led all Minnesota’s position players a year ago. Replacing the value lost from Sonny Gray or Kenta Maeda doesn’t necessarily have to come from the rotation, and adding high-quality position players could put Minnesota in situations with better opportunities to capitalize offensively. Paredes doesn't strike out much, and that is something the Twins struggled with substantially last year. By raising the water level of their lineup, departing production on the pitching side can be mitigated through additional run production. Just because Tampa may be open to moving pieces like Paredes, that doesn’t mean they’ll want to give assets away. At a projected $3.2-million arbitration-fixed salary for 2024, Paredes is hardly a bank-breaker like, for instance, Tyler Glasnow. Even for a Rays team that looks to keep payroll down, Paredes isn’t prohibitively expensive, and it shouldn’t be seen as a hurdle for Minnesota, either. Paredes has four years of team control remaining, which will fix an awfully high price tag. The Twins must part with an actual prospect package to force the Rays into considering anything. Rhys Hoskins remains among the biggest names on the open market when looking at Minnesota's openings and focusing on the right-handed bats. Paredes can do more defensively, though, and presents a substantially lesser price tag in terms of immediate dollars. A name like this could make a lot of sense for a franchise, noting that their TV uncertainty has provided financial constraints. What do you think about Isaac Paredes as a trade candidate for the Twins? Who would you be willing to give up? View full article

Both Kepler and Polanco fit for Seattle, but anything for Gilbert is going to cost a ton. Outlined that in a previous piece here:

It’s incredibly nice of Major League Baseball to give us the second day (and the first full, real one) of the Winter Meetings for Day Two of the Table Setter. Image courtesy of © Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports Although the Winter Meetings kicked off on Sunday, there wasn’t any substantial action. Minnesota has yet to make a major-league move this offseason, but there are some storylines worth checking into. Hall of Fame Takes Focus While Joe Mauer is the primary reason for Minnesota fans to concern themselves with the National Baseball Hall of Fame this cycle, it was during Night One of the Winter Meetings that former Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland found out he would be enshrined. Leyland managed 3,499 games during his career, and was a mainstay in the opposing dugout against Minnesota. He won a World Series with the Florida Marlins, and was named Manager of the Year on three separate occasions. Although Leyland had enough votes to go in, fellow manager Lou Piniella came up just one shy. If you watched Ron Gardenhire get tossed by umpires over the years, it was Piniella who often came up as the gold standard for being given the heave-ho. Piniella also won a World Series and the same number of Manager of the Year awards. When it comes to the player ballot, only eight have been added to the official tracker hosted by Ryan Thibodaux. Mauer has seen his name checked on five of them, with three coming through publicly revealed ballots. FanGraphs’s Jay Jaffe recently implored his fellow Baseball Writers Association of America members to do right by the Twins great. Crew Makes it Official Reported last week, Milwaukee Brewers top prospect Jackson Chourio’s eight-year extension became official on Sunday. That means he will be in center field on Opening Day, and it changes how they will construct their roster for 2024. Corbin Burnes has been a hot name to consider on the trade market, and if Minnesota is looking for options to replace Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda, he’d be among the best out there. You can check out Brewer Fanatic to see thoughts on how the Brewers will handle the rest of their offseason, but it stands to reason that they will want to hold serve with the rest of the NL Central. Cincinnati has already agreed to deals with Nick Martinez and former Twins reliever Emilio Pagan. The Cardinals became Minnesota South from a pitching perspective, inking Lance Lynn, Kyle Gibson, and Gray. Kepler to the Emerald City As the night grew late on Sunday, Jerry Dipoto continued his magic and worked a trade. With Jarred Kelenic headed to the Atlanta Braves for pitching help, the Seattle Mariners found themselves with a hole in the outfield. Jon Heyman opined that a salary dump might help to acquire Juan Soto, but Jon Morosi noted a fit in the form of Twins right fielder Max Kepler. It's certainly possible that Minnesota could match up with the Mariners. Second baseman Jorge Polanco also fits there, and the Mariners have pitcher Logan Gilbert that could work as a Gray replacement. How the two teams hammer out any sort of swap remains to be seen, but it's at least worth noting that the puzzle pieces make sense. Maybe Falvey is able to push for a swap while the representatives are all in Nashville this week. Is Ohtani Imminent? There hasn’t been much confirmed reporting when it comes to Shohei Ohtani’s next team, but we could reach a conclusion sooner rather than later. The Winter Meetings would be a great stage for the biggest free agent to announce his decision, and it seems that we may see the $500 million mark blown out of the water. It’s unfortunate that Minnesota isn’t among those being considered, but that was simply never going to be the case. Once Ohtani gets his deal done, though, it could open the logjam holding the market back. This is the week always circled for Hot Stove season, and starting it with a bang only to continue the momentum would be a blast. Last year Minnesota had already made trades for Kyle Farmer and Gio Urshela by this point. They didn’t sign Christian Vazquez or Joey Gallo until mid-December, but establishing some financial understanding soon may be beneficial with the television uncertainties. What are you hoping they accomplish in Nashville? Who got snubbed as Leyland got his props? And where will Ohtani end up? There's plenty to talk about, while we wait for the hard news to hit. View full article