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RJA

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Everything posted by RJA

  1. RJA
    On the positive side, he is excellent defensively and would be a plus defender. On the negative side, like many of the Korean players, he struggles with power pitchers. He also is not at his best in high leverage situations. Finally, he has been on a team where he was surrounded by great hitters, so he saw a lot of pitches. That might not be the case in Minnesota. On the whole, I think he would be a positive add, but I really dislike trading young guys for a shortstop as we have a couple in the pipeline already and Farmer.
  2. RJA
    Horrible suggestion.
  3. RJA
    So, what you are saying is if we are healthier, if we win more close games, if the young guys develop, if the starting rotation pitches up to their ability, if Lopez is really not trending back to where he was before his great half year with the Orioles and he and Duran close games, and if Chicago and Cleveland don't improve, we will have a good year. I would add another if--if we can replace Correa in the lineup. That is a powerful argument for having optismism this year! Actually, I think there is room for improvement, but we sure could have done a lot more in free agency to strengthen your case. Apparently the FO prefers to give up players rather than cash. We have some great young prospects, but thus far, none of them have had a sustained period of performance. Hopefully, that will come this year.
  4. RJA
    Personally, if he is still available, I like Andrew Chafin. Consistent performer over a number of years and would fit in well with this group.
  5. RJA
    I agree the contract will have to be adjusted, but I just can't see him letting him go given his behavior in the past 12 months. He replaced deGrom with someone arguably better, or at least as good, and I think he is all in on this year. Plus, they are playing Correa at third and I suspect they think that might protect him a bit from reinjury. Boy, this off season has been interesting and we are only at Christmas.
  6. RJA
    I can't see Cohen allowing Correa to get away regardless of the medical issue. They will strike a bargain of some kind to get him to NY. Cohen wants to win, period. It must be that he aggravated the fibula repair in some way this year. But, he certainly didn't close the year looking like he was bothered by it as he closed strong.
  7. RJA
    There is zero chance that Cohen does not come to an agreement with Correa. He is absolutely driven to win.
  8. RJA
    Actually, Cleveland did a partial rebuild last year with young players and won the division--such is how weak this division is. As presently constituted, the best possible scenario is that this team will sneak into the playoffs as a division champ in a weak division, and the worst is that they end up with 70-75 wins. I see no realistic path for making any noise in the playoffs. Therefore, I would add to the bullpen yet this offseason by signing two more relievers. There still are some decent players left, and I think bullpen additions would allow us to have an excellent bullpen that would make up to some extent for not having a true ace in the rotation. I would also play the kids, and see how they do by midsummer. If the Twins are pretty much out of it, then trade some pieces for prospects and go into full rebuild mold. Teams are always looking for pitching at the deadline. If they surprise and the young kids really shine, then supplement at the deadline. The one thing I would not do now is trade more prospects, or an Arraez or Polanco, for another rotation piece that has only 2 years control. Makes no sense.
  9. RJA
    I am with all those who think trading Arraez or prospects for a pitcher who is clearly NOT a number 1 (Lopez) for two years makes no sense. It puts them right back into the same situation next year when Mahle, Maeda, and Gray are FA's. That is why signing a top tier pitcher to a long term FA contract makes so much sense. It lends stability to the rotation. But, it hasn't happened and is not likely to happen. So, I also agree with those who advocate for creating a top tier bullpen. It is the second best option, and in this division would probably be enough. And, it shouldn't cost prospects. How this FO thinks they can build a contending team for the long term by trading prospects for mid rotation starters is really nuts. The worst part is that I now think they will feel a need to "do something" and that "something" might be a big mistake. Let's hope not.
  10. RJA
    I think it is fair to say that TD folks will never have a kumbaya moment where we all agree on exactly what happened and whether the Twins really did all they could to get a deal done, the first time or the second time. I agree we should move on. Seth, I think we need some more of your minor league interviews--they always leave me smiling and remembering how great the game is and how many kids work so hard to get to the bigs. They are truly what baseball is about, and part of the reason that I am increasingly attracted to minor league ball as a fan and a spectator.
  11. RJA
    Another player to add to an already injury prone rotation? Let's accept the fact that we lost on Correa and Rodon and others and just move on. Let's not trade anyone of value for a lottery ticket. It will only make our hole deeper.
  12. RJA
    The only silver lining in all of this is that the AL Central is so pathetic that 85 wins could win it all, especially with the new balanced schedule. But, when I look at the projected lineups, I don't think the Twins are close to fielding a team that would do anything in the playoffs even if they were lucky enough to take the Central. I think we all need to admit to ourselves that the Twins will never be a consistent winner so long as we refuse to spend more on payroll and take some chances in free agency. Even if we had signed Correa, we would never have spent the money necessary to surround him with talent. He knew that and made an intelligent decision to go elsewhere. We are stuck in a rut of being good enough to be decent and sometimes a little better than that, but never a top tier team. "Pretty good" should be our mantra.
  13. RJA
    If he stinks, we lose 11 million and some crucial at bats for youngsters. If he does well, he is gone in a year ( Boras client afterall) and we have done nothing to build for the future. Can't see how this move makes sense.
  14. RJA
    Let's stop the dumpster diving articles :).
  15. RJA
    While I was hopeful, yet extremely skeptical from the start, of the Twins signing Correa the Giants signing made some sense. This makes no sense to me. World Series. It is all about being competitive. He is now on a team that is very likely, given their talent and the owner's willingness to add talent as needed, to be a World Series contender for his whole career. What have the Twins done to be more competitive?
  16. RJA
    We will never know what happened for sure, but my guess is that Boras checked back with the Twins after the SF deal fell through or he was told by the Twins that their last offer was truly as far as they would go. He is too good of an agent not to explore all options. I understand everyone’s frustration with big market teams, but this deal could have been done by the Twins. It is clear that they are never going to be serious players in free agency, so I am beginning to see some advantage to a rebuild. If you can trade your best current players for top flight prospects, especially pitchers, or trade short term guys like Mahle, Gray and Maeda at the deadline for prospects, it might be possible to establish a nucleus for the next 5 years. Bitter pill I know. But maybe something to think about given the young guys we already have—and Buck!
  17. RJA
    Boras sold the FO boys on this move just like he sold them on Correa for a year. The big difference is Correa was a top free agent and Gallo is not. It makes perfect sense for Boras and Gallo--if he rebounds even to a decent year, he will enter free agency in a much stronger position and still collect 11 million for his work this year. If he fails, he still has his 11 million. IF the Twins wanted to make a move like this, for heaven's sake get an option for a second year just in case he lights it up. They were used and abused by Boras in this situation.
  18. RJA
    I like the idea that we need to strengthen the bullpen, so I would be a go on that. I like Eovaldi but, my oh my, why is it that we seem to be a magnet for pitchers with injury issues. I am leery of that move, though he may be the best we can do at this late date. Adames all depends on the cost. I am not a fan of trades for players with 1 or 2 years of control as it does not help you build a core. Plus, the Twins have a bundle of infielders coming up in the system with Lewis, Lee, and Julien.
  19. RJA
    If it ain't broke, don't fix it. It seems like the Twins should remember this old adage.
  20. RJA
    Another point in all of this is his non-salary income opportunities. The market exposure he will get playing in California is much greater than that of Minnesota. Therefore, his "supplementary" income will be much larger in SF than it would have been in Minnesota.
  21. RJA
    Interesting take. I would point out that 2019 is a total outlier for virtually every player due to the "enhanced" baseball that year. In 2019, Kepler hit 36 homeruns with an .866 OPS. In the last two years combined, he has hit 28 homeruns with a combined OPS of less than .700. I do appreciate Gallo's defense, and he might prove the last year and a half was an anomaly, but it looks like a desperate move to me.
  22. RJA
    Great summary, Seth, as usual. It is not losing Correa that frustrates many fans, though most wanted him back, it is the failure of this FO to sign anyone while they wait for Correa's decision. It appears to me that Boras plays this FO like a fiddle. He convinced them to sign Correa for one year to up his value, and then leads them on in negotations until somebody steps in and gives him the contract he wanted. Then, he convinces them to add Gallo, another left handed hitting outfielder, for 11 million on a one year contract with no option, so that if he is lousy the Twins lose 11 million, but if he rebounds, they will lose him to free agency. IMHO, if the Twins want to create any sustained level of success, they need to develop their own talent and use free agency effectively. Making trades for players with one or two years of control simply kicks the can down the road.
  23. RJA
    Interesting posts. I personally don’t consider trading for a pitcher means they come out of your minor league pipeline. The Twins do not compete effectively for top tier starters in free agency—I don’t think anyone can argue that point. Thus, they have to get topflight starters in a trade or through their farm system. Thus far, they have not done so. Gray, Mahle, and Maeda are not top tier starters. Neither is Ryan. Neither is Ober. We don’t know about the new guys yet. Now we can have a staff of number 3 starters and that may make us competitive but is not likely to get us through the playoffs if we reach them. But, when you trade for starters with only one to 2 years of control, you have to make trades every two years to put a rotation together. When you sign someone in free agency, or develop your own, you have 4-5 plus years of control. That provides stability and means you don’t have to trade young talent every two years. My point is that living off trades is not sustainable and will not lead to long term success. Love your posts, even when I disagree. They are always thoughtful :).
  24. RJA
    I am not quite I guess I am not quite sure what your point is. I don't consider Cueto a second tier guy. I would consider anyone other than a true ace to be second tier and the track record of signings for some of those guys is as good as for top tier guys. I think you missed my point. Sorry.
  25. RJA
    The problem with this FO is that they abhor long contracts, especially with pitchers. They routinely offer fewer years and less money than other teams believing that they have the "know how" to develop their own starters. The problem with this strategy is, of course, that IF you are not developing starters inhouse, you are perpetually looking to trade for starters with a year or two of control at the expense of your young talent or existing stars. Or, you dumpster dive for Bundy, Archer, Shoemaker, Happ, Bailey, Hill, and similar "talent." You never have a consistent starting rotation as it, by necessity, changes every year. If they signed a Rodon or Ray type, and another second tier starter in free agency, you would at least have 3-5 years of stability in the rotation. Then, IF your young pitchers develop, you have a great problem--a surplus of pitching--that you an then use as trade bait like the Guardians have done. So, get used to this yearly mantra from the Twins FO that they will pivot and still have a great team, as we will be hearing that for however long the Pohlads reject investing more in their team and this FO keeps patting themselves on the back about how smart and "creative" they are. Sad situation.
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