Squirrel

I have hopes for Correa, though. And I don't think we are small market, either, and dislike that argument. We are mid-market, and I think pretty much most people here know that. But that still doesn't mean we can or should go insane. I have no qualms signing a position player to a big, long contract, like Correa. But I agree with not signing a pitcher to the same. The way pitchers pitch today, they do not last that long. What DeGrom got was insane, and, imo, irresponsible. No way if I were an owner would I have allowed that. I wouldn't have even signed Rodon to that and he will want, and probably get, more. That said, we do need to be better at developing what we need. Or better at identifying and trading for it. As long as we aren't filling the rotation with Happs and Shoemakers, we'll be fine ... but spend on quality relief arms, then. That is a workable formula.

I never expected them to go after or sign top FA pitching. And after seeing what DeGrom got? Yeah, nope, not happening. I'm still hoping for Correa, though ...

Wow. That’s kind of amazing

I honestly don't get this take. If he's an injury risk out there, he's an injury risk anywhere. I don't think CF is higher risk in that regard.

I’d do it. For frontline pitching? In a heartbeat. It would be a tough deal but I’d still do it

Proper English is rumour. Just saying

I’ve said all along front end starting pitching … we aren’t signing that. But to go get high end relief pitching

Um ... was this actually stated? That he plans to sign last of them all? Or did you mean to put an if in there. Being the last to sign last year didn't do him any favors. Can't imagine he'd want his agent to play that game which is why the first agent is gone.

I was down there right following the hurricane. Devastating to say the least. At the time I was there people were just trying to dig out and figure out what to do. Driving in I passed the stadium. Huge long line up of cars to get into the complex to get food and water.

This was already reported here: https://twinsdaily.com/forums/topic/59842-twins-assistant-pitching-coordinator-zach-bove-takes-job-with-royals/?_rid=7

And Minnesota was sub .500 the past 7 out of 11, st. Louis had zero sub .500 seasons the past 11 seasons, so I’d say what I said earlier is true … both Boston and St. Louis win more than they lose, giving their fanbase more hope and willingness, and you don’t think it’s a correlation to attendance? You also agreed that those teams do more by way of signing the big names more often. So, what exactly is in your 5 yr plan to woo fans into spending money to come to games in Minnesota … continue to wait on prospects, not spend on a big name SS, have another 4 seasons of sub .500 seasons to woo the fans back to the stadium? After buying a stadium in 2010 on the promise that that would afford them the ability to win isn’t winning over fans when the winning isn’t there. Seems like we are in a vicious cycle here with no end in sight. Maybe it’s time for the owner and the FO to put their money where their mouths are to start building back the trust they’ve lost in the promises they haven’t kept. Granted, I’m still here following the team, but I’m not spending the money I used and am able to, on these broken promises. For me, signing Correa would be a huge step in the right direction. Going with Farmer and the hope of Lewis won’t instill much of anything and would be a continued slap and not a kiss.

Personally, I'd look for a trade, if I could ... but I'd be looking for high end BP arms about now. I never thought signing a front end FA starting pitcher was ever realistic for the Twins because it never seems to be realistic. This may free up money for other needs then.

And Minnesota has been sub .500 how many seasons in the past 11 years? Just as a comparison.

St. Louis and Boston both have fielded teams that were in it, though. Maybe they didn't make the playoffs every year, but they were at least somewhat in it and in consideration to the end more often than not. And they invest in players that fans can rally around.

To me their get well plan is all about team construction. I will shell out money for tickets and concessions and apparel for a winner. To me the get well plan begins with a commitment to a star player and a few other spots. And a commitment to not signing so many health risk pitchers. Do that, and I come back to the stadium.

All the more reason to sign Correa and show us they are worth the investment of buying tickets because they are invested in putting together a winning team. You have to spend money to make money, and while I don’t advocate going crazy (like the Rangers) I think Correa, another starter that isn’t end of the rotation and a high end BP arm or two would show me something and make me want to spend money at the ballpark … and maybe on an overpriced jersey. And I don’t think it’s an unreasonable ask.

Keep in mind that our TV contract ends after 2023. I’m hopeful we will have a better deal moving forward giving us even more flexibility that we have now to make this signing. And the 25% on one player was a discussion in another thread. It’s still very manageable.

I don't not want to sign Correa because of what Lewis might become. For a long time, there was a lot of doubt that Lewis would even stick at SS. I still have those doubts. We should never pass on a huge upgrade at a position because of what a prospect might become. That is a way to build a losing team. Not to mention Lewis won't be available at the start of the season and then will need time to ramp up. And Arraez isn't in the outfield just because of his knees, although that is a consideration. He's not in the outfield because he wasn't needed out there and he wasn't all that good out there. Lewis does not have the same knee issues Arraez has. And Arraez has knee issues playing infield, too ... if that truly is a concern for Lewis, he won't be a SS and his value is already gone. But I don't think he faces the same knee issues. If they converted him to play CF, he has value. Playing 3rd would be a good place for him, too, especially with Correa at SS. Or they trade him while his stock is good. But to not sign a legitimately great player at a position because of what a prospect might do is foolish. And because he might not sign until January or later is no reason they can't make other deals. They know what they have to spend. Considering what DeGrom got, I'm concerned with the money Rodon will make and he his far more risk for the cost, imo, than Correa is. Signing any player to a long term deal is a risk. Heck, every player is a risk, for that matter. They will never be worth the money at the end of it, but you sign them for what they bring at the beginning/middle of it. And signing Correa will not hamstring us. We have the payroll budget room to do it. These ideas are the way to never win, imo.

At the time, I didn't particularly like losing Baddoo, but, it was the correct choice given how many were ahead of Baddoo, so it was okay for me. But I really felt that losing Wells was the costly one. I think this article was slanted to get a rise out of those who were 'irate' at losing Baddoo.

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While the jury is still out on these two, absolutely, they were rookies last year, and I think how you've laid out their comparison is a little unfair. Kirilloff played for what, a month of the season? Larnach just over half? I think Larnach was coming around and starting to take off when he was beset by a medical issue. Kirilloff I think has it ... but ... not sure how his injury and the fix will play out. Neither is there, yet, as I said, the jury is still out. But, over all, I agree ... losing Polanco, one of our power producers ... we can't afford to lose any power and need more. Trading him is not the answer. Trading away power for a hopeful in Lewis and/or Julien? No. We've put too many eggs in the prospect basket. Keep Polanco here. If Lewis and/or Julien and/or Lee start pushing and knocking, well, that would be a good thing. We don't need to make room for them yet, or ever (trade). Keep Polanco and wait and see about the prospects ... in AAA.

How many owners do this, though?

Who cares about TwinsFest? What I want to know is ... will there be a MeltDown this year??? ? I need a new pint glass! @John Bonnes, well?

The TV contract expires after the 2023 season. This is partly why I think they can go after Correa. Surely they can and will do better with a new TV deal.

Thank you for this personal perspective. It's a side that we rarely get to know in these situations and are quick to assume and judge based on very limited knowledge.