I'm fine with McCutchen as an option, despite having a rather down 2022. I'm willing to trust in his career mark against LHP.

But I also really like Mancini. He's capable of playing the OF corners and gives the Twins a RH 1B option as well to help balance Arraez and Kirilloff. 

33 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

I'm fine with McCutchen as an option, despite having a rather down 2022. I'm willing to trust in his career mark against LHP.

But I also really like Mancini. He's capable of playing the OF corners and gives the Twins a RH 1B option as well to help balance Arraez and Kirilloff. 

I like Mancini too, however, with the current roster structure I’m not sure he fits. Like Celestino, Mancini also has reverse splits, so it wouldn’t make much sense to platoon him. I also think he’ll probably be a bit too spendy to just be played a couple times a week. If the Twins move Arraez and Kepler, you could make a case for signing Mancini because then I think he’d play close to every day, but he’s definitely not the best solution to replace Garlick’s role in my opinion.

Perhaps the Twins should look at Jorge Soler as a RH bat in a blockbuster trade with Miami where the primary goal is to acquire Cabrera and/ or Luzardo.

5 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Perhaps the Twins should look at Jorge Soler as a RH bat in a blockbuster trade with Miami where the primary goal is to acquire Cabrera and/ or Luzardo.

If the Twins are willing to spend the small amount extra it would cost to acquire Soler, I really like this idea. Would kill 2 birds with one stone while severely decreasing the amount of trade capital the Twins will have to fork up. Soler has been very good against lefties and can fill Garlicks role. I like it a lot if the Twins are willing!

Garlick will pass waivers & rejoin the Twins.

Has Profar signed yet?

50 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

Garlick will pass waivers & rejoin the Twins.

Even if he does, he won’t be on the MLB roster. So yes, they could bring him back up, but then what was the point of DFAing him?

2 minutes ago, Karbo said:

Has Profar signed yet?

No, he has not.

44 minutes ago, Hunter McCall said:

Even if he does, he won’t be on the MLB roster. So yes, they could bring him back up, but then what was the point of DFAing him?

Getting him off the 40 man. They can bring him up when they need him. If the Twins hadn't gotten Gallo, I'd be all for to sign a McCutchen. 

48 minutes ago, Hunter McCall said:

Even if he does, he won’t be on the MLB roster. So yes, they could bring him back up, but then what was the point of DFAing him?

Stashing a quality reserve in AAA because teams won't want to pay the extra $300K on his salary? While I think the Twins are imbalanced in their OF right now and management needs to make some moves to adjust it, I do think the front office has an interesting and creative strategy for stashing those borderline MLB players who can make good backup options/injury insurance at AAA by paying them higher salaries.

Minor leagues can be tough for players...but it's not so rough for a player when they're making $750K, get to play in the same metro area as the MLB club so when they're called up they don't have to move, and get to keep playing baseball for a living. In context that extra money isn't that impactful on the overall payroll for the team, but it can keep a player available after their options would have been exhausted. Clever way of being able to functionally get an extra option year with a little guaranteed money to fence off other teams.

5 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

Getting him off the 40 man. They can bring him up when they need him. If the Twins hadn't gotten Gallo, I'd be all for to sign a McCutchen. 

Yes, however I don’t think they’d risk putting him on waivers if they had a desire to continue with the current plan. I think Gallo plays every day, but he doesn’t fill the need for a right handed outfielder. I really like the idea of being McCutchen in, as he provides elite production against left-handed pitching

5 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

Stashing a quality reserve in AAA because teams won't want to pay the extra $300K on his salary? While I think the Twins are imbalanced in their OF right now and management needs to make some moves to adjust it, I do think the front office has an interesting and creative strategy for stashing those borderline MLB players who can make good backup options/injury insurance at AAA by paying them higher salaries.

Minor leagues can be tough for players...but it's not so rough for a player when they're making $750K, get to play in the same metro area as the MLB club so when they're called up they don't have to move, and get to keep playing baseball for a living. In context that extra money isn't that impactful on the overall payroll for the team, but it can keep a player available after their options would have been exhausted. Clever way of being able to functionally get an extra option year with a little guaranteed money to fence off other teams.

I agree, it’s a very smart move for the reasons you mentioned. It’s very unlikely Garlick gets picked up, but as you also alluded to, I think a move for a right-handed outfielder is still to come.

FO hasn’t spoiled any next move. They are trying to win now without depleting the pipeline. There are just so many unknowns in the SP and the young talent of AAAA pitchers. SWR could make huge strides this year and CP could be a late call up and mainstay as early as next year.  Raya is another guy that could be just 18 months away from the big show.  It seems like Gray isn’t happy here so I would include him and Pagan in a mega deal with Kep, Polanco, TL and Miller to get 2 out of the top 4 Marlins pitchers. That way they don’t really block their AAAA pitching talent and we become deeep in pitching options this year. 

1 hour ago, Fatbat said:

FO hasn’t spoiled any next move. They are trying to win now without depleting the pipeline. There are just so many unknowns in the SP and the young talent of AAAA pitchers. SWR could make huge strides this year and CP could be a late call up and mainstay as early as next year.  Raya is another guy that could be just 18 months away from the big show.  It seems like Gray isn’t happy here so I would include him and Pagan in a mega deal with Kep, Polanco, TL and Miller to get 2 out of the top 4 Marlins pitchers. That way they don’t really block their AAAA pitching talent and we become deeep in pitching options this year. 

The purpose of my blog post was to suggest that by designating Kyle Garlick for assignment the Twins hinted that they were looking to make a move to add a right-handed hitting outfielder. I would be intrigued by a megadeal as you mentioned, but I don't think there's any way the Twins would trade Polanco over Arraez, as Polanco offers durability and defensive flexibility. It is definitely and interesting thought though! I am also a firm believer that trading Gray would be rather counterproductive. As it stands, he is arguably the Twins' best pitcher, so trading him after signing Correa feels like one step forward two steps back in my opinion. I know you outlined gaining two starters from Miami, but the Twins would only net one starter with the loss of Gray plus they would be giving up all those other assets you mentioned. I also don't think Gray fits well in a Miami trade because the reason they are trading starters to begin with is because they have too many. So, for the Marlins, gaining Grey would also be counterproductive.

2 hours ago, Hunter McCall said:

The purpose of my blog post was to suggest that by designating Kyle Garlick for assignment the Twins hinted that they were looking to make a move to add a right-handed hitting outfielder. 

I disagree. After signing Correa, I don't think the Twins will spend on a free agent outfielder, even a right handed hitting one. If they could trade Kepler for a comparable right handed hitter, they might do that. Otherwise, as I've noted in other threads, they have three number one draft choices  (all LH hitters) who could break out and become lineup fixtures in the outfield. Gordon, Kirilloff and Larnach all could make the idea of having a platoon in the outfield a moot point. In addition, by midseason both Royce Lewis and Austin Martin may be available to help the club as right handed hitting outfielders, both likely to be serviceable backups for Buxton in center. 

Last year in crunch time, Ryan Jeffers was injured. For the season, he OPSed over .900 against left handed pitching, so did Carlos Correa and Kyle Farmer. Having those three guys in the lineup most of the time against left handed pitching would make the need for an outfield lefty killer specialist much less urgent.

I think the Twins most urgent need right now is to augment their pitching staff. They have a lot of left handed hitting corner outfielders and one or two could be sacrificed to get more pitching. If they reduce the glut of corner OFs already on the roster, maybe they could add a right handed hitting outfielder more capable than Kyle Garlick.

9 hours ago, Karbo said:

Has Profar signed yet?

Profar is one of most versatile players in MLB and a former #1 overall prospect. Very underrated, and would help any team. I wonder how much he’s holding out for?

5 hours ago, Hunter McCall said:

The purpose of my blog post was to suggest that by designating Kyle Garlick for assignment the Twins hinted that they were looking to make a move to add a right-handed hitting outfielder. I would be intrigued by a megadeal as you mentioned, but I don't think there's any way the Twins would trade Polanco over Arraez, as Polanco offers durability and defensive flexibility. It is definitely and interesting thought though! I am also a firm believer that trading Gray would be rather counterproductive. As it stands, he is arguably the Twins' best pitcher, so trading him after signing Correa feels like one step forward two steps back in my opinion. I know you outlined gaining two starters from Miami, but the Twins would only net one starter with the loss of Gray plus they would be giving up all those other assets you mentioned. I also don't think Gray fits well in a Miami trade because the reason they are trading starters to begin with is because they have too many. So, for the Marlins, gaining Grey would also be counterproductive.

5 hours ago, Hunter McCall said:

The purpose of my blog post was to suggest that by designating Kyle Garlick for assignment the Twins hinted that they were looking to make a move to add a right-handed hitting outfielder. I would be intrigued by a megadeal as you mentioned, but I don't think there's any way the Twins would trade Polanco over Arraez, as Polanco offers durability and defensive flexibility. It is definitely and interesting thought though! I am also a firm believer that trading Gray would be rather counterproductive. As it stands, he is arguably the Twins' best pitcher, so trading him after signing Correa feels like one step forward two steps back in my opinion. I know you outlined gaining two starters from Miami, but the Twins would only net one starter with the loss of Gray plus they would be giving up all those other assets you mentioned. I also don't think Gray fits well in a Miami trade because the reason they are trading starters to begin with is because they have too many. So, for the Marlins, gaining Grey would also be counterproductive.

Miami getting gray only blocks 1 young arm until the trade deadline when they could trade him to a contender as a rental for another building block. Its what they do. We would possibly gain 2 of the best controllable young arms in baseball.  We probably wont go deep into the playoffs this year unless we have better starting pitching and you might as well get the young ones cause we are set up to do an October run for the next 6 years.  As noted by others. two young outfield RH bats are on their way and Erod may be here in 18 months. 

2 hours ago, TyCobb367 said:

Profar is one of most versatile players in MLB and a former #1 overall prospect. Very underrated, and would help any team. I wonder how much he’s holding out for?

I think he is looking for a longer term deal but probably doesn’t like what he has been offered.  My bet is Boston signs him to something creative. Ive always been a fan of his and would rather have him that Gallo. 

3 hours ago, stringer bell said:

I disagree. After signing Correa, I don't think the Twins will spend on a free agent outfielder, even a right handed hitting one. If they could trade Kepler for a comparable right handed hitter, they might do that. Otherwise, as I've noted in other threads, they have three number one draft choices  (all LH hitters) who could break out and become lineup fixtures in the outfield. Gordon, Kirilloff and Larnach all could make the idea of having a platoon in the outfield a moot point. In addition, by midseason both Royce Lewis and Austin Martin may be available to help the club as right handed hitting outfielders, both likely to be serviceable backups for Buxton in center. 

Last year in crunch time, Ryan Jeffers was injured. For the season, he OPSed over .900 against left handed pitching, so did Carlos Correa and Kyle Farmer. Having those three guys in the lineup most of the time against left handed pitching would make the need for an outfield lefty killer specialist much less urgent.

I think the Twins most urgent need right now is to augment their pitching staff. They have a lot of left handed hitting corner outfielders and one or two could be sacrificed to get more pitching. If they reduce the glut of corner OFs already on the roster, maybe they could add a right handed hitting outfielder more capable than Kyle Garlick.

I would submit that the offense is no better now than last year or if better, only slightly. No guarantees both injury wise and ability to adapt to ML pitching with Larnach and Kirilloff. Buxton and Gallo are question marks.Need veterans and depth in the OF. Remember late season lineups of .210 Cave, Celestino and Mark Contreras while Buxton was out after hitting 225? Sign Profar or trade for Soler, sign Mancini, trade for CJ Cron, trade for Michael A. Taylor .The offense is behind the pitching staff in my opinion. Do sign Fulmer and/or Chapman. I would trade any of Kepler, Larnach, Kirilloff, Polanco and even Gordon and that would hurt because he’s about my favorite player on the team. 

One idea would be t install Gordon as the every day LF. He’s young and improving fast and could win gold glove in LF. The scouting report, supposedly from Sean Johnson in OOTP 23 has Gordon as a 70 defensively in LF.

14 hours ago, TyCobb367 said:

Profar is one of most versatile players in MLB and a former #1 overall prospect. Very underrated, and would help any team. I wonder how much he’s holding out for?

I wonder if the Twins have tried to sign him. Might fill the bill for OF that hits lefties?

On 1/13/2023 at 5:39 AM, Doctor Gast said:

Garlick will pass waivers & rejoin the Twins.

My thoughts exactly