rdehring

All three will be key contributors to whatever success the Twins have in 2020. What I am interested in is whether any or all will return in 2021 when we hopefully have a regular baseball season. With the talent coming up from the minors, which may be delayed due to inactivity this year, I see Gonzalez as the least likely to return in part due to his higher cost. I see and hope the Twins resign Adrianza to a reasonable one or two year contract to return as their main infield utility man. Not certain what the future holds for Cave. His biggest value to the team may be the return he would bring in a trade. As stated above, yes, he is better than many current starters on other teams including some who consider themselves contenders. Will Cave continue to play like he started this year and continue to get opportunities? If so, the return could be very high. But the Twins may also see his value to them for this short season and wait to pull the string on a trade until the off season.

I understand wanting to get Adrianza and Gonzalez into games early in the season. But, I really hope Rocco isn't planning on platooning Arraez all season.

I have been advocating that minor league pay should be fixed for years. Heck, even have a plan that wouldn't cost either the owners or current MLB players a penny. Cut the huge bonuses paid to the first and second round players by a third or so. That would likely provide enough money to double the salaries for all the minor league players from rookie ball thru AA.

Really liked what I saw of Alcala last night. Wow, that was some heat. Understand Whitefield for his baserunning. Expect he will stick for at least two weeks, then be optioned out when they need to cut to 28. See a comment above about Romero and will second it. Can't begin to understand what the problem is, but after all this time it would seem to be something other than bureaucratic delays. Someone has to know what the problem is, maybe Seth? But no one seems to be talking. Where are Twins Daily's investigative reporters?

Interesting. I would put Buxton at #1. Reason is simple, look at their record last year when he played versus when he didn't. Don't recall the numbers, but remember it was night and day. He also does things that no one else on this team can even think of doing. Would also include Kepler because of both his bat and defensive abilities and very solid play in center. Agree with Seth that Garver deserves a spot in this group.

Another point in Arraez' defense is that he actually didn't play all that much second base last year. Didn't he have more games in left? Along with more than a handful at third. Hard to improve at your base position when you play it so little. Should be different this year and I suspect his performance will be better.

Interesting conversation. Yes, the Twins active roster looks to have only one burner. But isn't Buxton as good as anyone in baseball, assuming he can stay on the field? You pointed out that players such as Polanco, Rosario, and Kepler are all quicker than league average. That makes four of nine better than the average, or nearly half the lineup. Although this group may not be big on stealing bases, lets remember that Rosario is as good as anyone in the game at taking that extra base, most of the time. And do you really want to take Sano or Donaldson or Cruz out of the lineup if they are starting the 10th on second base? Could be terrible decision should you not score and they would come up with two outs in the 11th.

I remain hopeful, Mike, that once past opening day when rosters are set they will jettison a player or two that is older and not needed. Come mid-August they could add a key prospect or two to get some good work in. Hopefully, Balazovic would be the first added.

Great article, Seth. And certainly time to be excited about the Twins future. The three starters that got their feet wet last year, this trio you are talking about today and Balazovic and others further down the line. Is it realistic hope that we are nearing the place Cleveland always was with pitcher X, Y and Z coming up and being immediate studs?

Very interesting, but way to technical for this old guy. I expect there are two important factors when taking a look at this situation. First, in this shortened season it is likely every team is going to have players miss games because of injuries. And the rush to get to opening day will probably increase the missed games early in the season when their bodies aren't at 100% game condition. And you hit the second reason, the Twins have a very deep group of starters and bullpen. I have no problem with Dobnak, Smerltzer or Thorpe having to start a half dozen games until Pineda is ready. You mentioned the depth for position players, but really the best depth there may be from a trio of prospects who are very, very good and close to being ready for their debuts...Kirilloff, Rooker and Jeffers. And that doesn't include Larnach or a couple of the young guns we all have been talking about. Are injuries going to be a problem for teams, yes. Will the Twins fair better than most, yes, unless they get way more injuries than other teams.

Expect that move will wait until Astudillo is ready to come off the COVID list. Also, understand that they can carry three taxi squad players. Expect one of those will be Jeffers or one of the vets until such time as Astudillo is available and ready.

Expect one difference, Cody. If Buxton is able to start on Friday or is certain a day or two later, I think they will begin with 16 pitchers and 14 position players. I see Blankenhorn not making the cut and Thorpe as the third long/swing man out of the pen. That may be especially true with the questions surrounding Odorizzi's back.

Great article and I for one am looking for Buxton to be in center for about 55 games this year. Then the Twins can sign him to a nice extension next winter so when he sets the MLB record for most doubles he does so at Target Field. Found it interesting to see that whereas Sano returned this week, Astudillo was put on the COVID List opening a second spot on the 60-man roster. Was surprised to see that Aaron Whitfield was one of the two players added. Hit less than .200 last summer, but the Twins must really like his athleticism, speed and defense in center field.

Will agree that the Twins are/should be ranked in the Top 10, perhaps as high as the 6-8 range considering their depth. But would you prefer to have them ranked Top 10? Or since you mentioned Dangerfield, "getting no respect?" I'll take the Rodney side of that coin and hope like heck they pitch the entire summer with a big chip on their shoulders.

Great read, Matt. I expect, however, that Duffey was in the Twins plans for 2019 and the fact he started at AAA was a disappointment. But he sure as heck turned it around and was great down the stretch. Listened to the Romo interview yesterday. He raved about what to expect from Alcala. Got me as excited as I was last year for that guy who now wears Dodger blue. What was his name again? Will second the comments above that I am hopeful that Colina can stick as a starter.

Who was the starting pitcher a couple years ago who had an incentive for reaching a certain innings level, maybe 200. Recall he was within less than an inning and Molitor told him they would bring him in the last Sunday of the year for an inning of relief. Remember he chose to not do so. Stand up move by the pitcher and the Twins. And regarding the above comment, aren't incentives based on things like ERA and wins not allowed?

So true Trov. Seems I don't often get to laugh of late, thanks!

Based on the Twins recent history, Matt, I suspect Roco will be told to not consider the incentives when scheduling Maeda's workload. One question I do have, will the Dodgers make a claim to recover part of what they paid to the Twins for this year based on the shortened season and reduced dollars owed Maeda? If they do, do they have a case?

My biggest question regarding the Tigers is how the new rule that you must stay 6' away from the umpire is going to affect Ron Gardenhire's ability to argue? Where would you put the number, Nick, at how many games Gardy will get ejected from this year? Considering the shortened season, I put it at 2.

No, yes, maybe? The good news is that it is looking like he has a chance as there will/maybe be baseball. The bigger question is, will Jake Odorizzi be in the hunt to be the Twins ACE in 2021? I for one sure as heck hope so.

Great read, Seth, thanks. Now if they can get May signed to a nice extension, all will be good.

I have never seen Celestino play, Mike. But from what I have read from Seth and others is that he is a major league ready center fielder now. Because he hasn't yet made the upper levels of minor league ball, his bat isn't ready.

I understand much of what you are saying and agree with your expectations for Kirilloff and Larnach. And your belief that the team may be better off putting the dollars Rosario will earn elsewhere may also be correct. But I must disagree with your statement that Rosario is an average MLB player. There is nothing average about Eddie Rosario. Hitting 30+ home runs and driving in 100+ is not average. Yes, I understand the argument some bring that he was fortunate to have the opportunity of coming to the plate often with runners in scoring position. But, unlike so many over the years he got the job done and drove them in...more than 100 times. There is nothing average about his swinging at pitches out of the strike zone. And I would guess that he gets more hits and extra base hits on balls well out of the zone than any other player in baseball. Frustrating, yes. Average, certainly not. There is nothing average about the emotion he brings to the field and his team when on one of his several streaks every year, streaks that can last for weeks. There is nothing average how he cuts off balls down the left field line that look for certain to be doubles, at least when playing on two good legs and ankles. There also is nothing average about how he comes to the field and plays with noticeable injuries. Yes, there are many others that also play hurt, but I would guess not your average MLB player. There is nothing average about his making a few truly dumb baserunning mistakes during the season, mistakes you try to eliminate in Little League. Yet, he also takes so many extra bases that those few gaffes can be forgiven. Again, not your average player. And there is nothing average about the five to ten outs he gets from throws that very few players in the game will even try, much less be successful with. And yes, there is nothing average about the dozen or so throws he makes to the wrong base each season...certainly not something you would expect from your average veteran outfielder. Yes, there can certainly be criticism of some of the things Eddie does on the field. And I suppose that some of the stats you all use may put Eddie amongst those average outfielders in the game. But the player I see on the field is anything but average and a player I hope I can continue to watch in a Twins uniform for many years.

I understand what you are saying about Eddie's situation, Matt. And agree that two of the Twins prime prospects are corner outfielders. But I must ask, who from inside the Twins organization has ever indicated that the organization and Eddie are going in opposite directions? I recall seeing many writers here and on other sites piling crap on Eddie's play. I recall seeing many, many commenters taking shots at his abilities. But I don't recall anyone who makes decisions for the Twins ever hinting at anything other than they like Eddie. I don't know what the future holds for Eddie and the Twins, and I have warmed to the position that trading him may become their best alternative. But I wouldn't be surprised if they gave him an extension sometime next year. They can then sit back and see which of the top prospects actually makes it and deal with the others. But that's just my opinion.

Sorry about those Kirilloff comments, Matt. But I swear I saw something this morning. There is so much information in your piece, guess my old eyes saw something that wasn't there. Will toss my hat into the ring that Dobnak was amazing last year and is going to continue to be very good in 2020...assuming they actually play in two weeks. Reminds me of a pitcher who was very good back in the 50's or 60's, just can't remember who. With all these pitchers, don't have a clue who the five starters are going to be. Just know that Dobnak is going to be in the mix, pitching alot.