The Reds know about more about those prospects than the Dodgers do. They can't have liked them too much if they were willing to give them up. You never know with prospects.
And a cheap buy out too. If he's terrible, it makes it real easy to cut ties too. Not that the buyout should be something to be happy about, but it is very team friendly. I'm a big fan of this signing.
I'd say, pick up the option. Let Rodney continue to pick up the save totals. I don't care who gets the save. Every closer blows a few each year. Then, save those better bullpen arms and bring them in high leverage situations when you really need your best arm out there and the game is actually on the line.
Unfortunately, with the new CBA, a player can only get a QO once in their career. So it's trade him before the season is over, sign him again, or he walks with no compensation for the Twins.
Going by name only, Willie Joe Gary, Jr is the best pick the Twins have made so far. We'll have to wait and see what the best pick they've made on talent. I'll also be disappointed if I don't get to use the letters WJGJ or the the name WiJoGaJu for a while.
It's hard to disagree with calling the system "pretty solid". Especially with the graduation of some of the top prospects out of the system. There are still a lot of good prospects in the system. I am forgiving the college starters into starters thing, though. That wasn't the best idea every thought up.
The last I heard, it sounds like Oakland wanted to tear down O.Co. and build a new stadium in the same location. I don't know where they'd play in the mean time though. But who knows with Oakland. It seems like their stadium plans change regularly. I wouldn't be surprised if Tampa ended up Montreal, but someone would have to probably build them a stadium there too.