mike8791

Law just published his top draft picks: #1-Cholowsky; #2-Lackey; #3- Flora. These rankings were only based on ability and are not related to teams' picks. Cholowsky has been #1 for most "experts" all year. Lackey at #2 seems unusually high, but Law is probably one of the most respected prospect analysts in the game. With TB's need for catching well known, might Lackey go #2? Seems a bit more likely than them going for a HS SS. Looking at Law's writeup on Flora, he would seem to be an ideal fit for the Twins, at least in terms of being ML ready, with his 98-100mph FB, excellent control and the #1 rated pitcher in Division 1. I, for one, would much rather add this top-of-the-rotation candidate who could probably advance rapidly thru the minors to MLB in '28 or '29 than a HS SS. Of course, if one of Cholowsky/Lackey slip to #3, then it's anybody's guess.

Normally, teams take the best player available in the first round. Lackey very well might be that player at #3. But isn't that overlooking Tait? Impossible to predict his major league future, but all reports I've read indicate he has the offense/defense chops to replace Jeffers, if not next year, certainly in 2028( at least that's the probable reason they signed Caratini to a 2 year contract). So would a Lackey pick fill a real need or would it be a move to enhance an already strong position? I would hope they try to fill a more immediate need, e.g., a future SS with both high offensive and defensive potential, a IB or 3B who looks like a badly-needed cleanup hitter or 100mph flamethrower who could slot in as atop-of-rotation arm or a Duran-like closer? Tough decision. A lot depends on how they view Tate's future - as a potential all star catcher or an average regular. The choice of Lackey would seem to indicate their lack of trust in Tait. As we have seen so many times with this FO, heralded rookies have stumbled badly. Not one All Star has emerged under Falvey's regime. This is a key time for Zoll and the entire Twins' organization to get it right. After all, hopefully, this will be the highest pick the Twins will see in the foreseeable future.

You've got to be kidding!! Either that or desperate.

If you really believe the Twins can compete the entire season with this bullpen then, no, Ryan shouldn't be traded. But with the pen's performance to date, coupled with the FOs feeble attempts to add "talent" with their waiver wire pickups, such a belief is totally unrealistic, especially when you add in the holes in the lineup and subpar defense. If Ryan returns to form in the next few weeks, then a trade should be considered, but only if it brings back one sure-fire major leaguer(either for 1B, 3B, or SS) plus one top 100 MLB prospect. There are a number of true-contenders, like Cubs, Astros, Padres, Tigers, who have been devastated by injuries to their rotations. We have the makings of a decent rotation, led by Bradley& Abel, with Ober,and Prielipp, plus either Mathews, SWR, or Rojas as possibilities for #5 spot. This is not a contender's rotation this year but with Lopez back next year, this could be an above average rotation in 2027, even without Ryan. I don't expect anything to happen before the trade deadline but at the very least this FO should be listening to offers and pull the trigger if they can greatly improve a below average lineup with one or two starting players.

Matt, nice analysis! But to me these articles are just grasping at straws. I like evaluating relievers at least partly by WHIP. Here are the stats so far: Banda1.62. Funderburk1.7. Rogers1.64, Orza1.43, Sands1.58, Topa 1.62, Morris(in only 3IP) - 2.0. Granted these are small sample sizes but WHIPs that high are indicative of tough times, especially in late inning, tight ballgames - which we have not had yet. I am thrilled with the Twins surprising start. The offense has far exceeded expectations, at least 3 starters look solid, and the team has slowly gained confidence in themselves. But realistically this bullpen is still the major achilles heel - one that will eventually drag this team down. Perhaps Lawyerson and Acton will develop into trustworthy arms and there is certainly some chance that at least one of Sands/Topa/Morris might also, but this current pen is woefully short of talent. Zoll should be on the phone now trying to pry at least one proven pen arm who has a better chance of succeeding in late inning, tight games. We have a major surplus of OFs, at least one of whom should land a decent arm. And TP must open his wallet to acquire someone like Kopech who is risky but more likely to be an improvement over the current lot. If ownership is truly committed to winning, now is the time to show fans and the players they are serious and augment the roster with badly needed help.

Trying to be optimistic about 2026, but Lewis has given us no reason to believe he can turn things around. As NYCTK wrote, a <.300 OBP over his last 600ABs is pretty indicative of his future potential. No, I wouldn't send him down yet, but a short lease would be appropriate - maybe thru May before making the decision. After that, time to move Lee to 3rd and bring up Culpepper. This should be the season to determine who's the core and who's not. No one(other than TP) can really believe this is a competitive team in 2026. Bite the bullet on underperformers and bring up the rooks as necessary. These guys have had their chance(I'm looking at you Lee, Larnach, Wallner, Lewis, Ober, et. al.) If they continue their lethargic play in the first 2 months, don't waste another year on a dream. See what the future brings!

We need a little optimism on TD. One of the most glaring issues this spring has been the offense. Other than a 15-0 trouncing of the hated Yankees, Twins offense has been sorely lacking this spring. The last 3 games of the preseason has seen a reawakening. Keuchel has been a terror all spring, Wallner and Lee have been strong, and now Buxton, Jeffers, Caratini have started to warm up. Even Outman shows some life. This was against Roger Suarez, one of the better SPs in the Al. Can the offense continue clicking once the regular season begins? We'll soon find out but I, for one, feel more hopeful than I have all ST. Now maybe we might see some miracles in the pen.

Did anyone see Rogers performance today: 2/3 IP, 2H, 2BB, 4ER.,0K.? Nice warmup for your new Twins closer! And you thought the Joe/Derek combo was bad!!

Any noise about Kopech? This pen has no shutdown reliever as of now. Taylor and Hendricks are way past their prime and Sands has never shown the mental toughness to close out games. If Tom Pohlad has any credibility left(???) they have to sign Kopech who at least has some potential in the closer role.

Understand all the hype on this guy, but he has been totally unimpressive this spring so he will definitely start at AAA. When there, they should put him in the pen. The strength of this team is in the rotation. Abel, Bradley and yesterday, Mathews, have looked very good. With Ryan and OBER(?) set in the rotation and with Lopez back next year, what are the chances Pre breaks in to the rotation this year or next? We need some arms in the pen - and the sooner the better! Topa looks finished(couldn't even get AAA batters out yesterday), Orze hasn't been much better, and Taylor & Hendricks are most likely at the tail end of their careers. If we have any chance(as TP claims) to be competitive this year, why not push Pre and Festa into the pen early so that they might be of use by June 1st?

This! From everything I've seen/read on Lee, he is(and most likely never will be) a major league SS. This is just too important a position to gloss over. We have an excess of major league starters. If TP can be believed(a big if!), the only way this team can be competitive is by keeping Lopez/Ryan atop the rotation and trade one of the 4-5 starters who brings back the most value. My preference would be to trade Ober but chances are one of SWR, Abel, Mathews or Bradley(probably in that order) would bring back more quality. In any event, just one of these guys would not bring back a quality major league SS, which is why the FO should recognize there is excess in the OF and at C. Adding Wallner or Jeffers should increase chances for a significant SS upgrade. And throwing Lee into the trade package even more so. We have enough utility IFs already! The big question is who is available? I'm not able to come up with a best bet here, but that's why we have a FO. Time for Zoll to show his worth!

Whatever grades you want to hand out, the one thing that is clear is that ownership is trying to thread the needle in 2026 by relying on several players, mainly Wallner, Lee and Lewis, to markedly improve this year. This is a fool's errand, made more foolish by TP's assertion that the team can contend in 2026 without appreciably spending more money. Understandably, Falvey wanted out and Zoll stepped up as the next scapegoat. In essence, the roster looks like a hope and prayer without any chance of significant improvement. Leaving the bullpen sadly depleted all off season is the ultimate FU to the Twins fan base. We can only hope that a sale comes sooner rather than later!

Hate to use such a hackneyed expression, but "lipstick on a pig" aptly describes this picture. There is no one on this list who can legitimately fill tight situations in the 7th or 8th, no less as a closer. To hope for more is a fool's game. I can understand the need for an attempt to inject optimism at this late stage in the offseason, but this FO has given us little reason to be believers. Seems there is little difference between Fail-V and Zoll, not to even mention the absurdities emanating from TP's mouth.

Nick, you've hit the Bullseye on a realistic plan going forward. Trade Ryan and Jeffers for ready major league talent that can improve glaring weaknesses in defense and offense. We have enough depth to absorb their losses, particularly with almost zero chance of contention in 2026/2027 with the current roster. I like Top Gunn's proposed trade for Lawler and partially like his suggestion of acquiring Duran for Ryan(though not seeing the need for Early as much as adding a !B - maybe Casas?). Better bet would be to trade Jeffers + prospects for a regular emerging 1B from another team with a lesser risk than Casas. And yes, Kopech seems like a natural, albeit risky signing. Would try to nab JoJo Romero from Cards even though he's LH. Would they be interested in one of our near-major-league ready starters or Larnach? Those two additions could at least bring our pen up to near league average. The dysfunction in ownership now is so dishearteninhg. To trade away our entire bullpen in July, then do a 180 deg. turn and say we can still contend in 2026 with a limited budget is idiocy. With 2027 looking like a strike-filled year, there is little reason to hold onto Ryan while his trade value remains high. A total rebuild makes so much more sense now, it's a wonder that even tone-deaf Tom can't see it!

Why spend scarce resources on a rotation that is considered the single strength of the team as currently rostered? If there is any surplus, it should only be spent on the pen which, as it currently stands, will most certainly doom the team to 5th in a weak AL Central.