rdehring

So excited that you are doing these, Seth. Thanks. Saw Ellwanger's name and thought, who? Guess I don't follow this stuff like I used to back when. Then saw he was a '25 draft pick who hadn't played and felt a bit better. Interesting prospect. Will double down on jmlease1's comment. Diaw gives us three very interesting catching prospects who could begin arriving in '27. Wouldn't it be great if one of the three turned into a really good catcher? One the Twins could pencil into their starting lineup 100 games a year for 8-10 years? Disappointing how many of you are down on DeBarge. I like to look at the positive side, that being he was a bit beat up and wore down in his first full professional season. Should he be anything close to his first few months when he reaches the big leagues would make him special. I'll take a top defender at second base who gets on base and steals bases. A lot of them. Now that would be exciting! I am tired of the revolving door of who is at first base every spring. Can we all dream together of the day the Twins have a young first baseman who will play the position for 6+ years? Who was the last one, Mientkiewicz? Will they please tell Mendez to throw away all of his gloves, other than the first base glove, and search out Tom Kelly for advice on how to play there. Maybe, just maybe he could be ready to man the position come spring training 2027. A question for those of you in Ft. Myers, does Kelly still make spring training appearances?

Martin and Roden both not only belong on the opening day roster but also starting. Should the Twins decide to use them as a left field platoon, Martin will not be in the lineup as much as he should. The Twins need Martin and Keaschall at the top of their order for their speed to put pressure on the opponents. My hope is that Martin is in left and Roden in right on opening day. That puts at least one of Wallner or Larnach playing for another team and the other in the DH mix.

OK, I like the idea of this trio playing together in the Twins outfield. And yes, utilizing the DH spot that can be accomplished with Buxton still on the team. My question, who of this trio would be the center fielder when Buxton has a day off or is the DH?

Sure hope you are right. It appears there are enough owners who finally are ready to demand that baseball's problems are actually fixed. And if that means a salary cap, the players have been clear they won't accept that. Will be interesting to see what the players union losing their head guy will mean, if anything.

Abel, Bradley and Rojas all have excellent first outings. That is just flat out FANTASTIC! Bring on opening day.

Couple of questions. For those of you speculating about next year, will there be baseball next year? Expect most teams are adjusting their plans because of that question. The signing of Caratini tells me they are assuming Jeffers is gone. Only question is when? I would have hoped that they traded Jeffers after signing Caratini so they could keep Jackson as their backup while awaiting the arrival of Tail/Jimenez. Could that still happen during spring training?

Must agree with all of you who want the Twins to wait until July, then trade Ryan. That's assuming they aren't leading the Central come July. Also agree with those of you who propose trading him yesterday. With one wrinkle. Trade him now only if the return is beyond anyone's wildest dreams of what they could expect getting, ie, the Twins must be blown away. Forget BBTV, the return has to be 1.5-to-1.0, or even 2.0-to-1.0. And the return must include a couple young players with some MLB experience. Players you can count on in 2026. As for others, I could see a Jeffers trade making much more sense at this time. Also trading Larnach should have been done over the winter.

Two spots in the rotation, four young arms looking to fill them. Will one of the two who don't make it move to the pen? Or will both be in St. Paul as the next man/men up? Remains to be seen which two will take those spots. Going to be an exciting spring training. My only hope is that one of this foursome takes that last big step to approach Ace status. Happens in Cleveland all the time, why not for the Twins?

I believe you give him too much credit defensively. Yes, he can change the game defensively. Unfortunately, often that change isn't good. Granted, he has a cannon for an arm. But too often his throws aren't on target. In the field he not only is awkward going after the ball but also misplays too many balls on the ground. For me, he can best help the team as their DH. I don't see the Twins finishing the year with both Larnach and Wallner on the team. We know who Larnach is. Wallner still has the hope of hitting 40+ home runs. Thus, I see Larnach being the first to depart. If Wallner has another year like 2025, expect he will also be gone come spring 2027.

I'm from the camp that loves the old traditional pinstripe look. So I'll go with your #5 as my #1. Like you, I don't like the City Connect and would have them last. No real opinion on the other three as they all are good, in my opinion.

Great article, Cody. Thanks. Add me to the camp of those saying NO to any major trade or free agent signing. Two of these kids should be ready for prime time. Give them the ball and let's see how they do. If one doesn't do well, there are two more waiting for their opportunity. The biggest effect this injury may have is eliminating one of the four from a move to the bullpen. That could have a negative effect on the Twins record this year. Probably should have said will have a negative effect.

Loved your comment, LA, with one exception. Personally, I don't ever want to see Wallner in right field again. I know I will, but I cringe every time a ball is hit that way.

I don't see him being as bad defensively as many of you or the numbers, which I don't always understand. I also don't see him ever being a top defender. For that reason, I remain hopeful that his bat improves, and the Twins find a place where his defense plays. If Houston's glove is as exceptional many reports indicate, I want him as the Twins everyday shortstop. Soon. Don't care what he hits as long as his average starts with a 2!

Don't think you understood what I was trying to say. On the first day of full team workouts, would Lopez have been pitching into the third inning of a simulated game if this wasn't a WBC year? I don't know, but seriously doubt it. Also don't have a clue if this was going to happen anyway and this just brought it on sooner.

Another question related to my question above. Would he have been pitching that third inning yesterday had he not been preparing for the WBC?

Question Matt. Is it possible this is the result of his working harder over the winter to be ready for the WBC? Or pushing too hard the first week of camp to be ready for the Classic? Personally, I don't like having that tournament in the middle of spring training. If they are going to have it, do it in November right after the World Series.

Wow. Will this change the FO thinking prior to the season? Would they consider going all in on a rebuild now? Expect not as most teams aren't looking for a major trade right now. But what if as opening day approaches? Guess we are now looking at 2 of Festa, Matthews, Abel and Bradley, rather than one. Can one of them take that last big step to being our next ACE. Please?

Who? The Twins entire infield is a disaster. Keaschall should be solid to very good at second and Lewis, if healthy and the Lewis of old could be special at third. The other two spots both need a ton of help, especially while playing in the field.

Have a question. When will the writers and some of the commentors recognize that SWR is no longer an unknown prospect? The kid has pitched most of the past two years with very solid results. Everyone says he doesn't have great stuff. That's probably true, however, personally I have no way of knowing. But his results sure seem to be competitive. Seems every game he gives the Twins 5 or so innings and a real chance at winning the game. I don't know if he will be their #5 or #4 starter in 2026. Seems he deserves to be one of those. As for adding another starter, NO, they should spend their time and dollars filling other holes on the roster.

Other than Jenkins and several International guys down at the lowest levels, there isn't a lot to get excited about. Maybe Winokur? Fortunately, the Twins should be set for nearly the next decade with the trio recently added to the 40-man and Jenkins. Maybe one of those Latin guys will turn into a good one three or four years from now.

As I read these articles, I am intrigued by comments appearing about Shelton mentioning TK. Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't remember Rocco talking about TK or having a relationship with him? Will TK be in spring training this year? Would love Shelton getting that surly old TK out to help turn this team into one that works at playing the game the right way. TK's way. Seems this team has been going in the wrong direction ever since TK left, certainly since Gardy was gone.

Guy looks to be a big add for the Twins pen. Really don't understand why the Dodger DFA'd him? Seems to make no sense, at least to me. Is he the best arm, or at least proven arm, in the Twins pen? Now all they need is Liam Hendriks and Rodgers to show up as the pitchers they were a couple years ago and one of their young starters to be the 2026 version of Louie Varland and all could be good. Well, some of us old guys can dream, can't we?

Nothing about SWR screams he belongs in the Twins starting rotation. That is except his results over the past what, two years. Or is it three?

I expect GM's don't put a lot of thought into BBTV when making deals. Otherwise, how would the Odorizzi for whatever A ball prospect we gave the Rays have happened? What I expect is GM A has a certain need and GM B has a player who could fill that need. Expect it is more likely based on how each GM views players A and B. So to move Larnach for a decent return just needs one of 29 GMs who likes what he brings to the table and has a need for a left-handed hitting corner outfielder.

Great way to start my morning, John. It brought a big smile to my face, thanks. Now will the Twins have a spring that will keep that smile coming back every morning?