Rosterman

There are still alot of players out there. All the former Twins position players, for a start. It is a lot of economics right now, players still jockeying for the best contracts available in an environment where few teams wish to overpay. The Twins have four spots. They need a starter, a bullpen arm (preferably a closer), a possible DH who can also play in the field, and it would be nice to have someone who could punch at 3rd base and play elsewhere in case you wish to DH Donaldson.

You had to look at the trade in one other way. The Twins saved $120+ million. Then the question comes, what did they do with that money instead of keeping one of the best players ever that pitched in Minnesota as part of the team for years and years. I also seemed to remember that Mike Pelfrey's name was bandied around in the Mets package. Yeah, what was the main Yankee package: Hughes, Cabrera, Kennedy, Chamberlain. I'm not sure what was the tell on that trade. The Twins didn't want Caberra? I liked the throw-ins of Lowrie and Bowden at the time. It was just what starting arm (Bucholz or Lester, Ellsbury or Crisp). Remember Ellsbury was still an unproven at that point.

Twins need a bonafide closer, one middle-of-the-road inning eater starter, and a bench bat who can play infield and/or outfield.

The Twins originally got Bruno and Mike Walters (plus that guy named $400,000 cash) from the Angels for Doug Corbett, coming off two great Twin seasons, and Rob Wilfong. Walters was a two-inning relief arm that was just okay for two seasons.

I think baseball as a whole is waiting to see how the actual free agent market will play out this year. Once a couple of guys start signing will give a good idea if the contracts will be subpar as well as the length, partly due to still some uncertainities about the upcoming full/not-full season. There are an awful lot of players out there. Especially curious to see how the minor leagues pan out, especially for those minor veterans vs. all those players cut loose with little place to go because of elimination of a team and, thusly, the non-need for major league teams to house/play up to 25 players that they can snatch from what remains of indy ball (now controlled, in most part, by mlb). The Twins need: One solid starter A closer would be nice, or a dominant arm (I vote for Hand). A DH who can also play 1B or the OF (wait, they have Rooker). If they grab a shortstop, they should be set for bench/field backup.

Robles didn't get a better offer?

As long as your pitchers give up 3-4 runs a game and you get 4-5. The catch is getting guys who can thru the 6th more often than not, as the bullpen is not going to be 8-10 arms again.

Definitely makes you look at what the Twins need to do with pieces between now and then. Is Buxton longterm. Royce NOT a shortstop. What if Donaldson can't play third. Do you continue to go with Sano? Garver is a luxury. You got outfield names like Celestino, Wallner and Urbina, not to mention the 2025 wave of Soulaire. Sabato and Cavaco could rise and at least get a looksee. Is Miranda a choice for third base longterm? At what point do you say goodbye to Wander Javier?

It was strange that no one grabbed him for $10 million for next year. In some ways, that might've been a bargain. What would he want...3 years and $25 million or $35 million? Just got to wait and see. But he would give the Twins a REAL closer when they need one and two great set-up guys in Duffey and Rogers. Alcala, Stashak and Thielbar. Mix in Thorpe who needs to be kept on the roster and COULD throw multiple innings. Look pretty decent if no injuries.

We are putting a solid 2-3 seasons stock in Donaldson and going from there. Sano will never return to third, and he will block Donaldson from playing, perhaps, first base or being a fulltime DH. But we rolled the dice on Donaldson and have to hope he does his job!

You will be able to BUY players this year!

Looking at Saints game of the past...good luck getting tickets!

I always wonder how strikeout pitchers fare overall in pitch counts. Do they need 5-7 throws to get a batter out? Do modern pitchers work the counts more rather than just dominate? Even a specialist like Wisler got the "k"s but also walked a lot of guys. The plus is leaving runners stranded. Some pitchers also work well on contact (Kintzler) and if you have the fielders, that is a plus. Do you want the double-play ball or a strikeout? And you have to get the batter to see at least three pitches for a strikeout. That's two pitches that the batter MAY have a solid attempt at connecting and causing trouble.

Shades of Nick Burdi. Two players that the choosing team may be able to disable for most of next year, just needing to find the allocated time to keep them on the major league roster before optioning them to the minors. All players lost are probably behind other players in the organization, and because of a lost 2020 we really don't know...do we?

Sometimes the overall prospects have been better at the AA level than the AAA level for the Twins in the past. But Wichita and Cedar Rapids will get many Twins fan visits during the season. The change in St. Paul won't be a difference in the overall fun and games of the minor league experience. It will be in the caliber of play. Maybe not as overall competitive, as the roster is now a pipeline to the majors and has ups and downs accordingly. Instead of people who want to play ball (a step above Town Ball) and hope to get into a minor league system, you will be looking at bonafide prospects on the cusp and other players capable of filling in on a major league team if given the opportunity. It will be as much about player development as well as putting competitive play on the field, but winning is not exactly the main reason for minor league team affiliate baseball. Because you are playing teams that have no salary caps, no age limits on prospects, no non-experience levels, and full of very talented people who are trying to improve their game as well as get comfortable in team play. A lot of hardcore Twins fans may find themselves unable to get single game tickets. That will be the key...will the Saints continue to sell well, or will they turn-away from being the bad boys of baseball. Expect to see cross promotions, a lot of Twins merchandise for sale (moreso than in Rochester). It will benefit players on both fronts. Able to get workouts at either facility and work with trainers, probably with no need to go to Florida for rehab.

The trade alone with the Yankees worked out well, considering the yelling and screaming of Chuck. But all the other pieces over time...whew!

I remember all the talk about second base being the better position for Polanco. He made a smart move, signing for the distance. If his value increases, he becomes a tradable sort. But in the scheme of things, I would not have seen the Twins going to arbitration. They would've pushed Lewis faster. Now they don't. WIll be interesting to see Arraez in 2021. And also if Nick Gordon gets some playtime. Sano. We want him to be our answer to Boston's Ortiz. We fear cutting him loose (or trading him) and having him become the second-coming of Ortiz for someone else. The Twins kinda got a bargain to wait-and-see. The question is if he has a huge season in 2021, do you longterm him even more? (I keep remembering Dark Star talking about Cristin Guzman getting the multi-year contract rom the Twins, how IT WAS A great deal for the Twins, but a better deal for a guy who not feel he ahs to play that hard anymore). Kepler is a student of baseball. He is a sponge. He seems to be over analyzing things at times. He has the talent, he has the drive. But at some point you weigh the cost vs. replacement cost. He would be gambled on for anotehr arbitration season, but the Twins (and him) did good with the extension. Which shows you the foibles of arbitration. Eddie entered 2020 knowing he would make $8-12 million in 2021 with the Twins, if he put up the numbers. He wasn't going to make less, unless the Twins cut him. At worst, NO ONE WANTED TO GRAB HIM FOR ARBITRATION. He was maybe hoping he would be offered $20 mil for two seasons...maybe. Now that he is free, he might only be signed for $5-7 million, and for a single season. Or maybe he takes that contract for a guaranteed $20 million for three years. You can't pay your own players less, unless you come back at them again from the free market, and then you have maybe burned bridges...so why would the play wish to return if still in a good position in their career. Same with Wisler. A gamble for another year perhaps. But the chance of a $2 million fightout was considered unnecessary. Maybe Matt will get a two-year deal for that from someone else, or maybe not. This one will be interesting to watch. It is why you look at trading players before they go to year three or arbitration, if they don't love you back. And, like pending free agents, the ball IS in the court of the player playing for that BIG contract tomorrow or long-term. It's the gamble where you also sign guys pre-arbitration for 4-5-option years if possible.

Opening the season: Garver/Jeffers catching. But Garver can play 1B and also DH. Sano at 1B. But Sano, for all intents and purpose, would be the long-term DH of the future who can also play 3B. Rooker. Corner outfield. Possible 1B. Possible fulltime DH. Kirilloff. Corner outfielder. Also called a first baseman. Doesn't need to DH. Donaldson. 3rd baseman. Because of his contract and age, will he switch to, say, 1st base, or need to be only a DH? You got five guys for 1B/3B/Corner OF/DH. Not to mention fill-ins if someone NEEDS to not be in the field. Not taking into account keeping a Jake Cave. And Trevor Larnach is in the wings, looking for work, too. That is where 2 years for Cruz becomes problematic. And Sano is still the dark horse/elephant in the room. Will he produce, or will he just be...okay. We all want HIM to be the next David Ortiz. Admit it!

As long as Minnesota can pay, they won't lose. Plus, the titles. I was sad that Rowson did leave, but you never know the preferences for organizations or locations. I do thinkj Falvey and Levine have a plan that they BOTH wish to see thru to an end.

Will be fun. But sad as I wonder what happens to all the teams in the American Association from Fargo to Winnipeg to Sioux Falls and more. Plus how the staffing of Saints land ends up happening. Sad to see Tsamis end a long career as the Saints manager. The joy is the Saints still get to be a fun place and make money, and probably keep selling out...and the Twins will be paying the salaries of the roster and coaching staff. Sure, revenue splits will happen, but the potential is there for better ad revenues. Be interesting to see how the television contract and radio airtime will play out. The Twins now have four wonderful ways to see the minor league teams. Cedar Rapids Kernels. Wichita, can be combined into a trip to Kansas City, and the Saints. Wichita will actually benefit from hardcore road trips by Twins fans, as often that is the best place to see top-flight prospects. And Ft. Myers as Low-A will be great for working the other 50 guys in instructional camp onto the roster and games during the minor league season. The Big plus for the Twins is transportation costs for rehab, as well as the ability to have players workout of Target Field. Not that the Saints don't have top-flight facilities now. But can you ask for anything better than to have your taxi-squad 15 miles away? Now, how and where will the Triple-A players live. Jammed into apartments downtown St. Paul? Wish I still lived next to the Saints Stadium!

4 years $50 million with an option for a fifth. Yes, Celestino should be groomed as backup starting next season, although he could start the season in the minors playing regularly. Royce Lewis is a possibility until you need to think about replacing or moving Polanco. But the Twins are sorta shortstop rich in prospects right now.

Kirilloff is one of those player's that could have "bright lights" in the back of his mind. He can play the game the Twins way for the next 5-6 years and move on. All depends on how he comes of the gate in his first near full season in the majors. If he is a powerhouse, he will write his own ticket, especially if he IS a first baseman who can also play the outfield. What kind of numbers would you be thinking to lock him up for the next, say, seven years as a Twin? If you wait at least two more seasons, then you have a better idea of what his arbitration numbers might be, and if he is super special those first two seasons, then you lock him up for 6-7 more with an option.

6 infielders is light. But remember, the Twins don't need to add players like Royce Lewis yet. Yes, they have an abundance of names in the outfield. Is Rosario not offered arbitration? Do you need both Cave and Wade still? Especially with Rooker and Kirilloff in the mix...not to mention Celestino. Be interesting to see what happens with Griffin Jax. And Wander Javier. Miranda and Severino can still remain in the mix as I doubt no one will claim them for a year of major league play.

I would like to see the Twins do an arbitration trade of Rosario to the Tigers for Matthew Boyd. They throw in a low-level prospect (or two) for the salary difference, or perhaps give up on Thorpe or Smeltzer if the Tigers want a pitcher who might pan out closer to majors.

Is Rosario too expensive? That seems to be the question. Can he be too expensive with a 2-3 year deal at this point, too? Three of the four mentioned haven't really lived up to their potential. Sano is always the elephant in the room. Do you look for a better third baseman? Do you look for a better first baseman? Is he the designated hitter the Twins need for life? Do we still shudder at the ghost of David Ortiz and fear a departing Sano will be the second coming of such a ghost. He is considre3d cheap for the current longer haul. And the ultimate, what is his worth to someone else at this point. Buxton just can't stay healthy. Jeez. What a thing to be tagged with. We have seen Hunter leave. A run thru names like Span and Gomez and Revere and Hicks, most all have produced at times better than Byron. What is Byron besides a ground traveller? Does he have bigger power? Will he ever be a base stealing threat? He can go from first to home faster than anyone. The Twins managed to get that extra year, as well as cheaper hearings because of on field time. From just being in the line-up and playing a lesser field, Rosario has more worth, it seems. Kepler. Man. I hated the fact that he batted leadoff in 2019 and moreso in 2020. I don't think he is a leadoff hitter, and is best placed in the lower portion of the order. He is mighty cheap, and IF he shines will have better trade value. Right now, he is more valuable to the Twins. The question is where do you put Krilloff, Larnach, Rooker (and to a lesser extent names like Baddoo, Wallner, Celestino, Maciel - all of whom would probably be on par with any of our current guys in years to come). Throw in the mix the need to looks at Urbina or Soularie in the next 3-4 years. Plus, Royce Lewis could be an outfielder instead of an infielder. Truth be told, I would take an option on getting Rosario signed for a team friendly 3-year-deal and move from there. I would entertain any offers for Sano or Kepler and even Buxton. Moreso hoping the value of all four of these guys will sky in 2021 and you can comfortably work in Kirilloff and Rooker with an open DH position (sorry Cruz) and Larnach later in the season, and still not hurt yourself offensively. I hate the though of getting nothing for Eddie and just letting him walk. That's what we did with Ortiz - not that Eddie is Big Papi. The Twins have been lucky offensively that the team does play as a good team on the field and overall in the batting order. 2021 showed that there are weaknesses in these guys and no one, including Polanco and Arraez and Garver, are set for the longterm, but still offer team play - which is most important. No superstars, including these big four that promised so much.