sftwinsfan

So, I guess we're looking to demote a guy that's currently 1st on the team in RBI, BB and OBP. 2nd in runs, 3rd in OPS & hits. I agree Larnach has struggled a bit, but he's still taking some quality at bats, especially compared to the rest of the team. I'd rather leave him at the major-league level and let him hopefully make adjustments. If he continues to struggle then I'm ok with him possibly going down, but we haven't gotten to that point yet. Yes, he's 26, but due to being a college player and not having a '20 minor league season he really only had one full minor league season, which was in '19. The injuries the last 2 years were unrelated, as long as he can stay healthy it's put up or shut up time for him. I agree that Gordon has more versatility, but there's a lot of outfield options on this team and guys like Solano and Farmer can back up the infield spots. Most of his minor league career was a bit of a struggle. I'm sure plenty will disagree, but I don't think he really excels at anything. Pretty much the definition of a utility player. He was surprisingly red hot for a period last year, but I'm not sure how you can say that's who he is versus the rest of his professional career. Kepler, as long as Gallo can produce and if AK forces things by continuing to hit in AAA (fingers crossed), I'd give Gallo his spot in RF. Always a guy I was high on over the years, but there aren't enough flyballs or difficult plays in RF to justify his bat. He'll get hot for a series, but then just seems to disappear for long periods. Hard to see them moving on from him though, they're still trying to put him out there hitting leadoff.

If you include organizational guys Spencer Steer is doing well early on with the Reds.

Hard to recall for sure as its been so long, but I don't think I liked the trade at the time. They took a key bat out of the line-up. Lawton never stood out as a big star but definitely one of those guys that was pretty valuable when you added the sum of his game together. Another underrated guy I always liked in the OBP tweet, Shane Mack. Haven't seen that name in a long time.

At least Balazovic has only had one bad year thus far, so I have a little more hope for him. The other two haven't shown much of any sign of being productive since they've been drafted. Another you could add to the list could have been Blayne Enlow, but maybe he's where these guys would be after another rough year given he was outrighted. Still around though, so all hope is not lost for him either.

Interesting trade, it appears the Twins got the better part of the deal, but a little weary. Lopez is a solid pitcher, but last year was the first time he's gone above around 111 innings and jumped all the way to 180 innings. I really hope we don't see a scenario where he makes 5 starts then suddenly is largely done until he's a free agent. Risk you largely have to take with pitching I guess. The rotation looks the deepest it's been for quite some time. With the huge layoff and prior experience as a bullpen weapon I wonder if they'll consider moving Maeda to the bullpen which could really shore that group up. Only issue now is this lineup seems pretty iffy to me. Arraez was one of the few guys that took good at bats and could deliver a hit when they needed it. They could be hard to watch outside of the top of the lineup. Of course, maybe this means they're confident Kirilloff's wrist issue may be behind him now? He could be a guy that if healthy, could make up for the loss of Arraez in the lineup. At least this roster is looking a lot better than it did a few weeks ago.

I was wondering if any other players have had this done before, but that pretty much answers that. To break a bone is one thing but shortening a bone and needing plates and screws in there could have some impact on things. Hopefully this will not only solve his pain issues but that he can regain full range of motion and not have his swing impacted. Between the prior Tommy John surgery (as an OF/1B) and this he could sure use some luck to go his way.

To me Lewis and Lee are clearly the top 2. System is pretty weak on higher-end talent after that outside of maybe some lower-level younger guys. Based off Lewis' surprisingly strong performance in AAA and with the big-league club I'd put him #1 yet. Shocked at how well he came back after all that time off better than he was prior and at a higher level of competition. Lee is likely the only other player that will be in top 100 lists unless someone sneaks in at the bottom. Martin, honestly, I've never liked. Repeating AA and actually going downhill, not a good sign. Looks like a possible utility player, hopefully way off on that.

Great draft so far! Great value to get a potential top-10 talent at 48 due to injury. Obviously high-risk but potential seems to be there, and he's already had TJ surgery and throwing again.

I'll take it, like the pick. Pleasantly surprised he lasted this long.

Better not get cute here and reach, they've gotten some talented players that have fallen into their laps here.

I could maybe see it if IKF had more years of control left, but he has the same 2 as Garver, so this being a move that strengthens the future can't really be argued. He's a band-aid at SS for a team that will probably lose 90+ games anyways. They've taken an asset in Garver and traded him for a relatively short-term fix at SS on a bad team plus a fringe prospect with a live arm. Nor would he be the type of player I would be interested in signing long-term. He's a glove-first player with well below average offense. I would have rather had a couple more lotto ticket pitching prospects.

Still TBD at this point, we'll see how those 2 turn out. Alcala could be pretty good if he can improve his command. I liked the Escobar return better at the time, still do so far.

10 cent beer night was always an interesting Wikipedia read, along with disco demolition night and in general Ty Cobb's page. Plenty of crazy stuff. Because he grew up in Germany, although not Bavaria the team could maybe jokingly throw out a Max Kepler Lederhosen night. Maybe a commercial for it with Max showing up at the ballpark wearing Lederhosen like that's his everyday dress. I guess I kind of miss those old Twins commercials that had a little goofiness to them.

Figured Dozier and Thome would be 1-2. Those are the most memorable by far to me. Wasn't a walkoff I don't think but one of the other more memorable HR's for me was Kubel at the dome with what I think was a grand slam to complete the cycle and cap a big rally against the Angels. That game and the Dozier game above are the best comebacks I remember.

Nice to have a guy like that, he can play multiple positions well if you need to give someone a rest or to cover a short-term injury. Plus he's got a pretty good bat. Outside of the rough start to the year he was pretty good in the middle, had some big hits.

Would be great to see him put it all together and stay healthy all season. I have my doubts whether he'll ever be able to put it all together offensively but he could still be a very good player if he can just stay on the field and produce some value offensively. Definitely an exciting guy to watch.

I'd probably move Catcher to #7, but that would be an issue with most teams. There's no reasonable replacement if something happens to Garver. I don't think Avila is more than a decent backup catcher and Astudillo having to get significant playing time back there would be a disaster.

I'm fine if Chacin regains some of his old form, but if not I think Dobnak deserves first crack at the rotation spot. I don't know quite what to think of him long-term but he gave them some quality innings last year down the stretch. In the bullpen I'd love to see Romero figure things out. You can see the talent in that arm when he throws, he could be quite the weapon if they ever get him straightened out.

There's always the exception to the rule, like Brian Dozier in his prime was much better in MLB than his minor leage career. But, while I think Garver is somewhat like Dozier in that he will be a better MLB player than MILB, I think there's definitely some regression coming. Especially if the ball doesn't carry like it did last year. I think he'll still be good and I'd be more than happy with a catcher with a .800+ OPS.

I don't like this regime has essentially sold a draft pick for cash for the 2nd time now. Good that it seems like its getting done now. I'm weary of how Maeda will translate to the AL and the mileage on his arm but I think it makes the Twins the clear favorite in the division this year. If Graterol's health holds up I think the Twins will regret this trade, sad to see an arm like that go.

I'm liking this deal less and less if it sounds like the Twins have to send Graterol plus more to the Dodgers for Maeda. I really hope it's not another significant prospect.

This is a lets get a mid-level starter and keep beating up on the bad and mediocre teams only to likely get throttled in the post-season type move. Personally I'd prefer they would have used a guy like Graterol, if they had to trade him, to get someone that had some upside. Maeda is soon to be 32 and has a lot of miles on his arm. It does fill a need though. Could really come back to bite them though.

If the Twins had unlimited resources, sure I'd do it, but they don't. If the Twins are going to blow that much prospect capital it should be to obtain pitching. They'd be better off having Sano focus on improving his defense.

Good move for the team and for Miguel. The team gets some cost certainty and extends out a key player that was possibly gone in 2 years. That leaves Sano, Kepler, Polanco, Garver, and Arraez together at least the next 4 years with Buxton, Berrios, Duffey, and Rogers the next 3. The longer they can keep their core group together the longer their competitive window will last. The team must have a lot of faith in him as we all know the challenges he's faced in the past. It could be a lot of money to pay a defensively-challenged player who could challenge strikeout records. But he also has a lot of talent and seemed to make some big strides forward last season and the team showing this confidence could help him take another step forward. If he does it will be a great deal for the Twins. For Miguel he could be giving up some decent money if he does continue to hit, but he also gets the security of life-changing money that he should never have to worry about taking care of his family again.

Nice to see a young Twins pitcher come up with 4 pitches, recent years everyone seems to have only 2 somehow and a 3rd they only throw 5% of the time. Thorpe has a shot as a back of the rotation starter if he can refine his command. Otherwise maybe his fastball can play up a bit in relief. He'll be in the mix once the season starts, but I think Smeltzer and Dobnak are the favs, they seemed the most likely to give the team innings in their starts.