Squirrel

I don’t think the Twins traded FOR DeSclafani. I think he was part of the deal, and I don’t think he was the primary part but did fill a need, sort of. We knew from the beginning they weren’t going to make a big free agent splash but do wish they could have made a Lopez-like trade. What’s left on the market at this point is a pass for me.

No, I don’t risk it.

This, spot on. Thanks, Mike. I might be frustrated with the payroll, the TV deal, things said, trades made or not made, signings made or not made, but the end of the season is when you grade. Like you said baseball is a funny game and requires patience to see it through.

I was going to answer, ‘young is not Craig’ 🙂

Last year the Twins posted a series of videos during ST following the team up to the start of the season. It was a lot of fun seeing a bit on the inside and hearing from the players as they got back into it. So, they are doing it again. Season 2 premiered tonight. If I remember, I’ll post links to all the episodes as they come out. This is an ‘up beat’ thread, building up excitement for the start of the baseball season. Leave your ‘trash talk’ at the door.

Nothing and no one is a sure thing in this business. So much can happen where you think you have it made and someone gets hurt. But I do get it. We had a successful year, I want to see building on that and it feels like a step backward. However, and I’m still frustrated, I don’t know what truly is what. I’m not a fly on that wall, so I am able to convince myself to temper my frustration, somewhat. But, the Twins could do everything I want, spend what I want, and be really happy going into the season, and still lose. That’s not an excuse not to, just saying nothing is a guarantee. My motto has always been hope for the best, prepare for the worst. It’s much better for my expectations and BP.

I've attended parts of ST every year (except 2021) since 2001. It's nice when parents give you a nice place to land. My Mom sold her place, too, after Ian, but she now lives in a very nice apartment, still in the area. I visit as often as I can and will be down next week for a few games :)

Ankle - right Plantar fasciitis - left Google had all the answers … this time 🙂

Taylor wanted more money and more years and deserves to get that. So, no, not so simple as that or they would have done it. Also Taylor had a career year. I don’t expect he’ll repeat it

Don’t disagree with this. At all. It’s frustrating to fans who want the Twins to build on the success of last season only to get the announcement early on that payroll is cut. It just seems an antithesis to success. But I am tiring of these articles and discussions that say nothing new with the same posters saying the same things over and over. Like Sisyphus we are bound to Hell.

Then let the Marlins sign him since that’s where Gordon is now. I don’t think he’s needed, is he? I mean we have Castro, Farmer, Martin, Lee … do we need him?

Was anyone really surprised he ended up signing with the Cubs?

Knock it off ... everyone. Quit making and taking things so personally. Move on.

It is interesting. But it also cements my position that he will not be a fit, at all, in our clubhouse. A rigid and unyielding philosophy on how he goes about his work might be commendable on one hand, but, when it's a team sport, there needs to be some kind of compromise with those in charge and with your teammates. This article makes it clear ... it's my way, or no way. Almost as if he’s saying if you aren’t with me you are against me so **** you. I found his personal detachment as a big red flag. If he had multiple seasons in a row of great success, I might be okay with it. But ... he has not had multiple seasons in a row of great success, so he should be open to changes and tweaks. This article makes it pretty clear that he is not open to that at all. He really puts the ‘I’ in team.

There is a question mark at the end of the topic header and this is the off-season rumors, speculation and proposals forum …

The Dodgers got burned twice … once by Houston, then by Boston … so yeah, the loudest

MODERATOR NOTE: Back to topic, please. This thread is about the possibilities of Bellinger, not Boras.

I did that once, too

Why not give Bauer the same courtesy? Apples and oranges. And a lot of people didn’t want Correa, either, and several here who still don’t. But it’s worth mentioning that Bauer still has three impending suits to settle. If they go the same as the first, a team might be willing to give him that chance. But until those cases are settled, no owner wants that risk. When and how those other cases go might determine whether or not he gets signed anywhere, but likely won’t until they are settled, Also, keep in mind that MLB did its own investigation, separate from governmental courts, lawyers, and public opinion. They found that Bauer violated their policy on domestic abuse. Bauer appealed but wasn’t able to negate the suspension, only reduce it. I don’t know what evidence MLB had or what their standard is, but it’s not nothing that they gave him the suspension they did and it’s not nothing the suspension was still a year long after appeal, the longest given for this type of case. Do owners have access to the evidence and findings in these cases? Sometimes decisions aren’t just about the skill of the player and perhaps owners are leery about the whole package. But if Francona, one of the most respected men in baseball, doesn’t want him on his team during a playoff run because he’s a ruiner of the clubhouse, and this prior to any of these public accusations, that should and does speak volumes. You might be able to tame a tiger, but it’s still a tiger and should be treated as such. (Siegfried and Roy learned that the hard way.) From all accounts I’ve read, the Twins have a great clubhouse. The camaraderie of the players is apparent. I don’t want to disrupt that. It’s an intangible that, imo, does make a difference. Oil and water don’t mix. On top of that, how good of a pitcher is he really anymore? Most are remembering a couple of good season out of many and wanting the pitcher he once was. I don’t think he’s all that anymore, and not good enough to be worth the baggage he brings. He’s 33, and while he might be able to give some decent innings, I don’t think he’s the level of pitcher anymore that you claim to want. Lopez is certainly better and I think Ober is, too, and Ryan probably is better at this point, too, maybe, with a good year. So you are taking a risk on a guy who maybe would be your third or fourth best. I think you might be basing your opinions that Bauer would be better on past laurels that aren’t current. I’d rather the Twins spend prospect capital to get the SP you seek. That pitcher, in ability, is no longer Bauer.

A majority of the Dodgers players voted they did not want him back after his suspension was over, one of the reasons the Dodgers cut bait. It’s been a common theme throughout his career with many of his teammates from college throughout his MLB career. I think he would be a very bad clubhouse fit given the reports of the camaraderie in our current clubhouse. I think Bauer would be a huge distraction. If he is such a bargain signing, why hasn’t he been signed yet?

MODERATOR WARNING: we’ve had Trevor Bauer threads before, and they usually go off the rails. So keep it concise and keep it to baseball and him as a player - a pitcher and teammate - and leave it there. If anyone goes beyond that with events of his personal life, your posts will be removed and the thread shut down,

I’m not, yet. If things go well this season I will be in September 🙂 If not, I reserve the right to say I was right 😜🤣 Thanks for a very reasoned post!

You’re right. For some reason I was thinking he only pitched a few after the trade and that was it.

Speculation is fun. There is always a basis for ‘I can see this being the case.’ But keeping Gordon regardless was always going to cause other issues. If he were a rightie, there likely would have been less issues, but there always was a log jam there, especially since he was out of options. The timing of events lends to the speculation, but all the reports I’d read that Gordon was an exceptional clubhouse personality and very well liked, even through the playoffs. I think his time just ran out and it was a case of get something or nothing. I’m skeptical there was more to it, but who knows. Ah to be a fly on the wall.

Again, no one is necessarily suggesting we should have held onto Gray. I’m not comparing what we lost from last year to Gray’s potential production this year. All I and others are saying is we are skeptical that the rotation will be this year where it was at last year, because of the production and health we got from last year’s rotation. I’m just not as hopeful without an upgraded addition. As I said, I think the FO is rolling the dice it will be. I’m neither sold or unsold. Just a bit skeptical. But good for you for your optimism.