RJA

I think it is a mistake to trade for pitchers with 2 years or less of control.  If the team wants rotation stability they have 3 options:  trade for a pitcher with 3 or more years of control (like Ryan for example), sign a free agent to an extended contract, or develop your own.  The cost in player/prospect capital when you have to keep trading for pitchers with only two years of control is simply too high for too short of a return.  After this season, absent extensions, Maeda, Gray and Mahle are all gone.  Unless our young guys step up, we will be a couple pitchers short even with Lopez.  Unless this FO changes its free agency policy, we are always going to be pitching poor.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Much will depend on what further moves get made.  If a corner outfielder with many years of team control, such as Wallner, departs in favor of having this one-year wonder who will absolutely move on if he has any success, I really will question the front office's strategery.

"To say Joey Gallo was bad last year would be like saying a turd isn't particularly tasty... it hardly describes the full truth."
Is this observation from experience?  I always have to ask, when people say things like this.
At least, nobody can accuse you of burying the lede.  In fact I can't remember anything you said after your opening sentence.

But actually, remember that there was a shortened spring training, so most pitchers had gotten fewer than normal starts during spring training. Additionally, they were carrying two more relievers than usual because of the expanded rosters. Even with those, they were throwing “normal” lengths as starters. 

Nice list and really enjoyed your descriptions of how players were performing.  Also nice to see a list out of the mainstream.  I would have had Rodriguez a head of Miller mainly because his bat played so much better and looks to have star potential.  While I think Millers hit tool is going to be good he has been struggling for a while now.  Still a fun read.  Thanks!

Great article!  While it is a small sample size, he does unquestionably crush left handed pitching.  It will be interesting to see how his numbers end up this year.

Great article!  While it is a small sample size, he does unquestionably crush left handed pitching.  It will be interesting to see how his numbers end up this year.

This was a great read!  Thanks!  It is a SSS so regression is likely coming.  Pitchers will be throwing him tougher stuff to hit in the zone.  Things are about to get harder. We will see if Mr. Garlick can handle the changes that will be made.

One of my sayings is that Iove Jesus Christ, baseball, and rock 'n rock. Which makes me quite a dinosaur. And, that makes me sad. I'm assuming we aren't supposed to get into religion on TD, although this post leads us down that path. If the lockout would have been 30+ days, it might have killed baseball, so good on the players and owners for only delaying a week. 
I can understand why the youth of today are not interested in baseball or church. They've had an entertainment system in their hands their entire lives with unlimited entertainment options instantly available 24/7. My two brothers and I fought over one television. The attention span of humans has been cut significantly in recent years. Baseball and church require concentration and patience. Now, why the kids don't like rock 'n roll over the garbage they listen to today is beyond my comprehension.

I love Target Field for all the reasons you list.  It is one of the best fields in MLB.  The Dome--not so much, but who can forget the World Series wins.  I even have fond memories of the old Met Stadium that looked like it was built with an adult erector set, and you could see cows and corn fields from your seats, not to mention Killebrew, Oliva, Kaat, Versalles, Tovar, etc.  

I love Target Field for all the reasons you list.  It is one of the best fields in MLB.  The Dome--not so much, but who can forget the World Series wins.  I even have fond memories of the old Met Stadium that looked like it was built with an adult erector set, and you could see cows and corn fields from your seats, not to mention Killebrew, Oliva, Kaat, Versalles, Tovar, etc.  

Kids running the bases on Sundays after the game.  Red Cow Bacon Burgers.  MN Brews.

"If there’s a team that could go up or down more than almost any other in baseball it could be Minnesota."
Agree wholeheartedly with this. The Twins could be pretty good or pretty bad.
I'm feeling that the other teams in the AL Central will be better than they have been in the past. Chicago will be healthier and have a strong bullpen. Detroit picked up some solid experience to go with their youth and their young pitchers are getting ready to win. Kansas City has youth and a few vets. Greinke in 2022 profiles as better than any Twin starting pitcher and his choice and enthusiasm to return to KC brings excitement and experience to the team. Finally, the Guardians have a top 10 farm system of players who have plenty of minor league experience and will now get their chance. The Guardians with their pitching and Terry Francona could really surprise a bunch of people. It is a sorry situation where the owner won't spend just $20-30 million more to buttress this young team. The Twins need to click in order to win enough to make the playoffs and this AL Central has zero resemblance to those weak teams from 2019-2021. I believe the division will be much better.

I am a retired guy.  I need my rest, so I didn't find out until morning.  It was a huge shock, but a wonderful one.  I just hope we trade for one excellent arm.  Then I will be VERY happy.  He will be gone after this year--I know that--but if we could add Montas or another quality starter, we could have a Cinderella type year.  Wouldn't that be a hoot?

As much as this FO likes spin rates, they always seem to be behind the curve. IF they had acted last fall to sign a top pitcher, Ray just as an example, we would now have two top pitchers in Ray and Gray, to pair with Ryan and Ober.  So, if they were to add Montas, the rotation would be in excellent shape and maybe even better if a couple of young guys proved themselves.  And, you would have the top 3 pitchers for two years and Ray for more.  But, they wouldn't move until they unloaded Donaldson's contract, and now it is too late to sign anyone.  If they assumed a little more financial risk, we could have an excellent starting rotation, Donaldson, Kiner-Falefa, Polanco and Sano/Kirilloff in the infield with Arraez filling in, and Jeffers and Rortvedt at catcher.  We could have rotated at DH between Sano, Arraez, Donaldson, Miranda, and others, had Buxton, Kepler and Kirilloff, in the outfield, with a fourth outfielder to found internally or in free agency.  Even if we were to add Story, I would prefer that lineup to what we will be fielding.

As much as this FO likes spin rates, they always seem to be behind the curve. IF they had acted last fall to sign a top pitcher, Ray just as an example, we would now have two top pitchers in Ray and Gray, to pair with Ryan and Ober.  So, if they were to add Montas, the rotation would be in excellent shape and maybe even better if a couple of young guys proved themselves.  And, you would have the top 3 pitchers for two years and Ray for more.  But, they wouldn't move until they unloaded Donaldson's contract, and now it is too late to sign anyone.  If they assumed a little more financial risk, we could have an excellent starting rotation, Donaldson, Kiner-Falefa, Polanco and Sano/Kirilloff in the infield with Arraez filling in, and Jeffers and Rortvedt at catcher.  We could have rotated at DH between Sano, Arraez, Donaldson, Miranda, and others, had Buxton, Kepler and Kirilloff, in the outfield, with a fourth outfielder to found internally or in free agency.  Even if we were to add Story, I would prefer that lineup to what we will be fielding.

As much as this FO likes spin rates, they always seem to be behind the curve. IF they had acted last fall to sign a top pitcher, Ray just as an example, we would now have two top pitchers in Ray and Gray, to pair with Ryan and Ober.  So, if they were to add Montas, the rotation would be in excellent shape and maybe even better if a couple of young guys proved themselves.  And, you would have the top 3 pitchers for two years and Ray for more.  But, they wouldn't move until they unloaded Donaldson's contract, and now it is too late to sign anyone.  If they assumed a little more financial risk, we could have an excellent starting rotation, Donaldson, Kiner-Falefa, Polanco and Sano/Kirilloff in the infield with Arraez filling in, and Jeffers and Rortvedt at catcher.  We could have rotated at DH between Sano, Arraez, Donaldson, Miranda, and others, had Buxton, Kepler and Kirilloff, in the outfield, with a fourth outfielder to found internally or in free agency.  Even if we were to add Story, I would prefer that lineup to what we will be fielding.

As much as this FO likes spin rates, they always seem to be behind the curve. IF they had acted last fall to sign a top pitcher, Ray just as an example, we would now have two top pitchers in Ray and Gray, to pair with Ryan and Ober.  So, if they were to add Montas, the rotation would be in excellent shape and maybe even better if a couple of young guys proved themselves.  And, you would have the top 3 pitchers for two years and Ray for more.  But, they wouldn't move until they unloaded Donaldson's contract, and now it is too late to sign anyone.  If they assumed a little more financial risk, we could have an excellent starting rotation, Donaldson, Kiner-Falefa, Polanco and Sano/Kirilloff in the infield with Arraez filling in, and Jeffers and Rortvedt at catcher.  We could have rotated at DH between Sano, Arraez, Donaldson, Miranda, and others, had Buxton, Kepler and Kirilloff, in the outfield, with a fourth outfielder to found internally or in free agency.  Even if we were to add Story, I would prefer that lineup to what we will be fielding.

I think those remaining pitchers are waiting to see who loses out on Montas to see if they can up the dollars teams might be willing to spend to add them to the roster.  If the Twins are in on Montas and Pineda would like to pitch for the Twins then he likely has to wait and see if the Twins do manage to get Montas.  If they do then my guess is big Mike signs elsewhere if they don't then I assume he will be looking for another multi-year deal.  Probably the same for the other pitchers as well.  When the Montas trade is done things should start moving real fast for the rest of the free agent pitchers left on the market.

Great contibution. Thanks for the article.  It would be great to see Kirilloff at first, and I suspect we will some of the time this year, and probably full time in 23 once Sano is gone (assuming Sano doesn't have a huge rebound year).  I really hope his wrist is not going to be a nagging issue his whole career.