Rosterman

Brooks Lee Bowman is a "redemption card" this season, so it may make it actually that much mroe expensive...with the process of having to redeem at some future point in time.

Kirilloff is pretty much it for first base, unless you move Miranda there...then who plays third base. Larnach has Wallner pushing him. Plus if Kepler remains, and Gallo plays left, then it IS between Wallner and Larnach for the bench/DH spot. Who would be betetr served getting regular playing time in an outfield position. Looking forward to spring training...and a healthy Twins team on the field everyday.

Fulmer vs. Pagan. Well, Pagan is cheaper. Fulmer is one of maybe a half-dozen okay arms still on the market, most wanting to sign for the biggest bucks possible...but 40-man rosters seem pretty full right now. So will be interesting to see what happens. There is a demand for high-paying quality relief pitching, BUT NOT BY ALL 30 TEAMS, it seems. So, some players will fall by the wayside. The Twins have a pretty full roster. The only expendables are actually in the bullpen right now - Megill and Pagan stand out. (Of course, the Twins could have two roster spots open once they can place guys on the longterm disabled list). The Twinsare also, seemingly, at the top of their payroll limit (although there shouldn't be such a cap if the Twins truly want to win). Yes, I would like to see one more solid arm added, so we don't ned to depend on Pagan, we can put Megill at AAA if not claimed on waivers, or maybe Alcala will need time to adjust to a fulltime schedule. Of course, we stiull have to worry about the durability of Duran, and is Moran truly ready to be a fulltime major league thrower, and is Thielbar still ageless. Is Fulmer the answer? Depends totally on the price!

Well, I liked the one year addition of Taylor (via trade) to allow the Twins to keep Celestino down on the farm for another season, as well as figure out what to do with guys like Martin and Ldwis, who probably won't be playing shortstop. Most of the guys on the 1-year-list would've loved to get a multi-year contract, but failed. The next step is to get a contract (and maybe a team option - not a player option) for significantly more...if they produce. Or the hope that they do produce and egt traded to a real contender, or will be in-line for a multi-year deal. And then, you ask, would a team be better spent to spend the money they paid for a Happ/Shoemaker and Bundy/Archer and get a better option in the off-season (assuming a player wants to come and play for your team in a multi-year deal). That's a heavy hunk of change that the Twins invested in single year additions to the roster that added little or nothing. Except for the fact that the Twins have x-amount of money to spend and that the front office can throw back into our faces that "they tried" in nthe free agent marketplace, rather than just rely on waiver claims and the signing of minor league free agents, most of whom would contribute accordingly. Which brings the point, do you invest earlier in your own prospects. Do you go out-of-your-way to keep, say, Berrios, as an example...rather than search out free agents.

At what point do you do extensions and for how much. Say even a Buxton extension doesn't work out in the long-trerm. How many free agent contracts, like Bundy, Archer, Pineda, Gallo - do you sign for similar amounts that really don't work out, in the end. Like Denard Span of yore, the contracts for Polanco and Kepler have worked out over the time given. Sano, except for spending last season injured, was okay. One could say that gambling the mutual for 2023 would've been as workable as giving the same amount of money to Gallo.

My own personal opinion for the idea lead-off hitter is twofold - someone who can see alot of pitches or make the pitcher throw a lot of pitches (Arraez was beautiful at that), and who can get on base. Once on base, I want them to be a threat to stay out of the double-play and be able to advance to third. It's nice when they hit the occasional home run to give you an early lead, but I would rather see that skillset with a guy on base. Correa is better suited for the second or third spot. Buxton for the third or fourth. Which leaves us, now, with Kepler, Polanco and, as someone has said, Gallo. At least with Gallo we know a pitcher would have to throw at least three pitches to strike him out. I also smile at the analogy that he would probably see more (and lesser quality) pitches being the first man up in a game. But I also shake-my-head if I want this guy to get five at bats in many a game. And, ultiamtely, that is my big call for the top-of-the-order. Who do I want to see get that extra at bat in a game.

The Twins have a pretty solid 40-man roster right now. Two names will start the season on the extended IL list, so there will be two openings. And, at best, there are two glaring names that stand-out as do-or-die in spring training, one of whom will be given the benefit of the doubt and probably make the team. In regards to bullpen arms, you basically will use at least one of the spots to rotate thru a name like Derek Rodriguez or another minor league free agent (Ortega, Alexy who were both claimed), someone you feel you can lose if you must send them back to the minors or remove them from the 40-man roster after the quick add. If you added someone like Schuler (or Sisk vefore the trade), you would basically need to keep them on ther 40-man if you didn't feel they wee expendable. Curious to see what the Twins do with Balazovic. I would almost start him at the "warmer" Wichita, perhaps, as the Saints rotation seems strong breaking spring training. Names like Winder, Varland, Woods Richardson, deLeon, Rodrioguez, maybe Ober, and a couple of minor league signings may cause this need to start the "higher prospect" back. But time is running out for Balazovic. Pitchers like Sands, Winder and Henriquez will be the first pecking order to come up if need arises. I'm sure the Twins will use one of the guys who started a game or more to fill out he need for double-heder starts, if they develop. On the position front, Julien is the name to watch. As well as Wallner. Sadly, I'm not sure who the next-in-line catching callup would be, again the need to carry an open 40-man spot, or someone that you can remove and not care what happens to them. We forget that Martin only has two pro seasons under his belt. And is the man without a position. WIll he start at AAA (which I would do), but where. Same with Lee. He should start at AA, as the Twins need him to play competitive everyday. Curious to see what position then play him at. We can feel happy that the Twins have farmer and Gordon as their super reserves, both who can play a variety of positions in a pinch for the short-term. But, again, the Twins immediate weakness on the "field" end of the roster seems to be first base and catcher for immediate depth. What hurts, perhaps, are the names on the 40-man that MAY NOT see time in the mjaors in 2023 - Balazovic, Canterino, Headrick, Paddack. I'm glad they were able to sneak Enlow thru waivers, one less wasted roster space for 2023, but still have the player.

I don't think Celestino is at all forgotten. It is just that he ended up being rushed. The Twins can buy a year of non-service time by keeping him at AAA for 2023 and see if he imroves his ball read in the outfield, and adds some power. A good AAA season also makes him a valuable tradecip down the line. Remember, though, Taylor is only a one year pickup at this point. Of course, the Twins have to figure out the outfield of the future with names like martin (and Lewis), Wallner, Celestino, Larnach all looking for playing time with the team. They also are well stocked with AAAA vets Contreras, Armani Smith and Garlick in the minors for the moment.

I'm glad the Twins have Lopez in reserve. There is NO reason to NOT start the season with Duran as your closer. I also look for a strong comeback from Alcala, although there could be a good chance that he starts in the minors. In the end, take the best 8 north. Forget contracts. The best 8. And there are still a couple of arms out there that are better than Megill and Pagan, sorry. Hey, Wisler is available!

He was a lefty, which is always a nice option to have. Plus he could pitch multiple innings. I'm sue he would like to remain a starter, but anyway you can get (and stay) in the majors, someone should take. He would've been an excellent backup at AAA (shades of Derek Rodriguez and Chi Chi). Still young. You go for the opportunity.

He's a lefty. Would be a solid long guy. The flip ws that he ws eligible to become a free agent if no one grabbed him for their own 40-man.

Good glove. A bit of speed. Allow Buxton to DH and now have a decent replacement in the field.

Be interesting to see who leaves from the 40-man now. Between Wallner and Larnach for the 13th guy. He'll be a free agent at the end of the season, but allows Celestino to play regularly, as well as the Twins to makie an outfield decision on Martin & Lewis.

Vasquez, Kirilloff, Polanco, Correa, Miranda, Galo, Buxton, Kepler. Starting 8. So you now add 5-6 on the bench. Jeffers, Gordon, Farmer. Do you add Wallner and Larrnach, with one playing more of less DH? Do you add an infielder with Gordon being main backup in the OF. Spring training will prove to be interesting. Can Wallner show progress with his bat and be the bench guy/DH who can also play the outfield? With Farmer and Gordon, you can let anyone in the outfield or infield get reps in the DH spot. So, musical DH seems to be the norm. Unless the Twins do acquire a BIG RH bat...which means the outfield in AA will be Celestino, Larnach. Martin with Wallner as the DH.

Where is Sano going to end up?

Between Lee, Lewis and Martin, and throw in Julien, the Twins have some hard decisions. Lee could give us the average and plate discipline of Arraez, plus the ability to actually play somewhere other than first base, and maybe even steal a base or hit homers. The question is finding a home for the player, and others of slightly more age, but still skills for the long-term future of the Twins. A logjam may be happening.

Henriquez would be a good addition for going long. Jax should be pushed for multi-inning stints. The Twins could also press Winder into such a role. We will see seomthing pan out in spring training, as the Twins also have to settle on rotation staffs for St. Paul and Wichita. Remember, Maeda could also start the season as a bullpen arm to build up to pitching five innings come mid-season.

As long as we never have to see our four outfielders are Cave, Contreras, Garlick and Celestino with Gordon asking for a bat. Yes, it is a problem, especially with names ike Lewis and Martin needing a play to play, as well as decisions made sooner rather than off-the-cuff as where they will play. I would be happy opening 2023 with Gallo and Kepler on the edges and Gordon and (I guess Garlick as the reserves. Giving Larnach, Kirilloff, Wallner and Celestino fulltime work between the outfield/1B and DH in St. Paul. Kirilloff needs to really shine, and then the decisions needs to be made where to play him. Arraez is the current 1B/DH. Lee, Lewis could be third baseman, which means a move for Miranda to 1B/DH. Some decisions could be made in-season. Can Kepler and Gallo shine and be tradebait with Larnach, Kiriloff, Lewis ready to step in? Where does the speedy Martin fit into the plans. Either way, the Twins 6-7-8 outfielders are better than the 7-8-9 that they had last season. Wallner is in an interesting position. He looks like a worker, and if he holds his power, he could be the DH who could also play in the outfield for seasons to come. But, again, the Twins are looking at a prospect logjam. Who do you keep, at what cost, and in the back of your mind thinking of those still coming up thru the system (Rodriguez, Severino, Mercedes, Urbina).

Decent returns. Twins have to make a decision on keeping Mahle longer term. Ultimately, where do you play Arraez as 2024 is around the corner.

Suddenly lots of decent back-up catchers. Glad the Twins got Jair Camargo back, although he might start at Wichita. Looks like may be done signing minor league free agents. Smaller crop than in year's past, which means players advancing that the Twins have developed.

Yes.

I still don't like the Gallo signing. Paid too much. This would've been interesting.

The Twins are getting light on 40-man roster spots. Have to lose someone for Correa. At least this guy is still young, at 24. A back-end bullpen arm, maybe develop into long relief?

And I'm sure the Twins will be carrying some sort of insurance policy on the contract. Wonder how many millions that will cost?

2022 was a good example of adding some solid names, happily via trade, but they blew up, along with so many others. When you have an outfield of Cntreras, Garlick, Cave and starting Chi Chi Gonzalez, while a full lineup of players are sitting in the training room, no amount of money will save the team. And the biggie, since free agency is such a gamble, is gambling on your own players (what the Guardians have done in the past, what the Braves are doing now). Part of getting a new stadium made the Twins say "we will now be able to keep our own free agents." Well, we see how that has worked out. And, sure you will get a Dobnak contract now and then (or Blackburn, or Mays), but you also got Span, Polanco, Kepler amongst others that were much lower risk than offering a guy $105m for three years, or the Donaldson thingie. Donaldson was a good example. If the guy is injured, that's big bucks. If he can't play third, do you have a place for him elsewhere? In the back-of-your-mind you like to think that a free agent signing might also mean that you can flip the guy if the team "blows up."