rdehring

As I read all these comments, something is becomming clear...at least to me. There are two underlying beliefs that Twins fans, and TD reader/commenters, have about success. One camp believes that the ultimate goal is to win a World Series. Although I don't want to speak for anyone else, it appears to me they would go all in to attempt to make that happen. All in sounds to me that they would trade a substantial portion of the organization's top prospects. If not breaking the bank, they would certainly push the budget well beyond recent limits to sign a couple 'impact' players. Whether or not that would affect future extensions for current young players, to heck with it if a World Series is within reach. Others, including myself, believe that long-term success is important for both fans and the health of the franchise. Personally, I get a ton of happiness out of all those days over the long season when the Twins win. Heck, I enjoy most of the games they lose, assuming the game was competitive and exciting. To me, six months of feeling good about my team outweighs the week of total disappointment from going three and out in round one of the playoffs. [Don't misunderstand what I am saying, I would love my Twins to win the World Series...just not at any cost] I think that is one of the major differences we have. I'll take a season long high, others want that high AND the ultimate prize. The good news is that pitchers and catchers report in 31 days when we will again have some real baseball to talk about.

No, No and heck no! See a lot of conversation about Sano's defense. Let's acknowledge one fact from 2019, he didn't have a spring training and was back on the field in May following a brief minor league rehab assignment following his injury. Don't know what effect that had on his defense, however, gotta believe it had some. With that said, I don't see him as being a good defensive third baseman. Just that he may be better, or not as bad, as we saw last summer.

Of all the guys looking at a possible extension, Sano was the last I expected to see. Always was the talk that he wanted to play in the bright lights, so I expected he wanted to move on when free agency arrived. Yet, when I see him in the dugout with the guys he came up with, Buxton, Rosario, Polanco, Kepler, I see a kid loving what he is doing and who he is doing it with. Which was real? This seems to indicate all the talk about the bright lights may have been just that, talk. Don't see any problem with Berrios as the two sides are merely going thru the process. Would love to see him inked to an extension, along with Trevor May. Appears the contract is front loaded with $10mm paid the first year between salary and a signing bonus (per Roster Resource & Strib). If so, great move by the Twins.

Thank you for writing what I have felt for some time.

Thanks for a very interesting series, Nick, I enjoyed it. Would agree with those who put Balazovic ahead of Graterol, based in part on Graterol's injury history and part on the unknown of whether or not he will end up in the bullpen. But who can't love the potential Graterol brings with that easy 100mph heater. Maybe the best description of Berrios would be ACE Light. One more step this year and maybe, just maybe, he can become that legit ACE the Twins are searching for. Agree that now is the time to get him locked up for the next five years. Maybe doubling that $4.5mm estimate in 2020 will get his attention and get it done. Not only did the two extensions drive your decision of the top duo, but they sure as heck earned it on the field in 2019. Although I agree that it would be nice to have a shortstop who plays D better than Polanco, I take exception with the above comment that his D sucks. Thanks again, Nick. Will be interesting to see the changes you have in 2021.

Cannot agree more with your last comment about Buxton. For that reason, I am hopeful that the Twins work out a nice extension with him before opening day. Putting the issues of September 2018 behind him together with long term security may be a factor in his changing how he plays the game to becoming a safer Byron Buxton in the field. He is a potential MVP.

I keep asking what his ceiling really is? If he can boost his average and OBP a bit, retain his power and stay healthy for the next ten years, will he get consideration for the HOF? That's what I see him becoming, one of the best players in the game.

Furthermore, before you jump all over my butt, please read what I said...."Is that true?" Maybe a more appropriate response would have been to confirm that it hasn't been finalized, rather than the tone of what you did respond. Personally, I get tired of all the experts here that jump all over everyone whenever someone doesn't agree with them.

Why, I read it right here on Twins Daily, in one of the many threads dealing with Donaldson. Just can't remember which it was and really don't care to go back and spend an hour looking for it.

I read somewhere late last night that the Twins offerred Donaldson 4/110 and he signed with Atlanta for 4/105. Is that true? If it is, there are a lot of comments over these 7 pages that should be retracted as the Twins did exactly what many were screaming for and the player still went elsewhere.

Interesting. Understand your explanation of Rogers' drop to 12 and don't disagree with it. On the other hand he sure seems like a top 10 guy to me, no matter what the formula is in determining who goes where. Of course I would also have Rosario in my top 10, regardless of his warts and length of control.

I see three others who have yet to be mentioned. First are the two catchers, either of whom could contribute in 2020 should two of the Twins top three catchers get injured. Would normally say we would see one of Jeffers or Rortvedt in September, but with the rule changes that isn't likely unless there are some injuries. The other pitcher no one mentioned is Ober. He was unbelievable, when healthy.

To answer your question: Yes, probably, maybe. Berrios would have been amongst the best in the league last year had his terrible August been so-so. Fix that and the answer will be yes!

Always fun to follow this series, Nick.

I don't often disagree with you, John, but I find myself doing so today...if I read the tone of your piece correctly? We won't know whether or not the Twins were a success or failure this offseason until the games have been played and the season ends at the end of September. If the Twins are again division champs and headed to the playoffs, everything they did will have been a success. If they fail to make the playoffs without having an unusual number of injuries or suspensions, then you will have been proven correct. My point is that it is way too early to proclaim that what they didn't do is a failure. It is frustrating to me when so many people seem to think that the only thing that matters all winter is how many dollars they are spending. I for one, am happy that we have a FO that appears to have a business plan that calls for caution when chasing free agents. I am glad they have both dollar and length of contract limits that they appear unwilling to violate. And none of us know whether or not they believe ethat the best two of the four young guns we saw last year will perform as well as many of these free agents in 2020, given the opportunity to do so. Personally, I can't wait to sit down at my TV and watch Thorpe or Smeltzer or Dobnak or Graterol toe that rubber every two of five games for the first six weeks of the season.

Took the words right out of my mouth, Seth, or in this case off the tips of my fingers. Sure glad our FO isn't likely to give away the farm for one cow with her best years of production behind her. Or in the case of Boyd, a young heifer that looks good but ain't done that much as of yet. So I will sit back to see IF the FO does a trade. And if they do, expect it won't be for a big name at a big price. And if they don't, will enjoy seeing last year's four young guns battle for those two spots for a couple months. If they do, I expect they will outperform at least two of the above four.

The above comments really caused me to sit back and think about what you said. Damn, that's about as mind awakening writing I have seen in awhile. Thanks.

First, Happy New Year Seth. I think the signing of Hill/Bailey means the Twins don't have to complete a trade for a top starter at a cost beyond fair value. Should they find that opportunity, at a reasonable cost, I expect they will pull the trigger. What is more likely, is they find a deal similar to the Odorizzi deal and trade a mid-level prospect (or two) for a pitcher with some upside that isn't a name you are familiar with. In either case, they will then have one excess pitcher when Hill is healthy, plus all the young kids.

How do you know he isn't? Were you on the line when they discussed whatever they discussed? Were you with them if/when they met? If not, then you have no idea what was discussed when Odorizzi was making his decision. For all you know, his agent was recommending against it (I also wasn't there and don't know), when Odorizzi made his decision.

Went to the Twins website and see that both Bailey and Hill are included on the 40-man roster, which now stands at 41. Does that mean that we will soon learn that someone is going thru the DFA process? Hill cannot be put on the 60-day IL until spring training. Can they move Pineda to the restricted list now?

I believe that as long as this front office remains, the window will be open much longer than expected or the norm. They have two of their cornerstones, Kepler and Polanco, signed thru 2025, including options. Will they extend that another couple years in the future? Should they negotiate similar length contracts for more dollars with Buxton and Berrios this winter, they will have four (five including Garver) of the best young players in the game playing through at least 2025. Kirilloff, Larnach, Graterol, Balazovic, and Lewis won't be arriving until next summer or the following year. All five are not likely to become superstars, but I would be shocked if at least two do with another one or two becoming solid big league players. All of these player will be under team control until 2025 or beyond. Additional players will come up thru the system to augment this core group of 8 to 10 players. If management does a little bit every offseason and at each trade deadline, there is no reason that the Twins window cannot remain open thru 2025 and beyond. I don't view this window as being favorites to win the world series, more that they are in the hunt for division championships and likely in the playoffs. And we all know that once in the playoffs, anything can happen.

Just think how good Garver, Berrios, Arraez, Polanco, Sano, Rosario, Buxton or Kepler could be if they have that magical season in 2020. What's amazing, that is eight guys who all are on the cusp of becoming superstars. Just think the year the Twins would have if say three of them play at or near their ceilings? If forced to put one name out there for 2020 MVP, my choice is Kepler.

Many of you have suggested he remain in AAA to start the season to work on his changeup. There could be another reason to have him open in the minors, but not AAA. With his history of injuries, it may make sense to have him begin the first three or four weeks of the season in AA where weather won't be a factor.

I have been saying this should be the plan for a month. Would have Littell be his designated opener for most games, pitching the first 2 innings. Then bringing Graterol in as you suggest. Littell would also be available to pitch an inning or two in games two and three days after his opening appearance, so he wouldn't be limited to pitching only 2 innings every five games. When facing a team with a strong group of lefties in their top 6 hitters, would use Clippard rather than Littell for that game's opener. I believe there is a strong possibility that this combination (Littell and Graterol) could have the best results of any starting pitcher in the rotation, perhaps amongst the league leaders. Who knows, might be a new way to find that ACE...this year. And Merry Christmas, Seth.

It may not have been solely the most money. What was a shock to me, Ontario has the largest population of Canadians of Asian descent by more than two fold over British Columbia, which would have been my guess. Considering that Toronto is by far the largest city in Ontario, it's a good bet that it has a large Chinese, Japanese, Korean community.