Seems like the big clubs are clearing out their payroll this year to allow them to spend with fewer penalties next year. I think if the Twins fail to make a big splash in the starting pitcher market this year (Darvish), they'll probably lose their window.

I don't think that team you put together has a shot at winning the WS. Not that you said it did, it's probably a realistic portrayal of what the roster would look like under the prior regime, hopefully the new one makes some bolder choices.

Seems like the big clubs are clearing out their payroll this year to allow them to spend with fewer penalties next year. I think if the Twins fail to make a big splash in the starting pitcher market this year (Darvish), they'll probably lose their window.

 

I don't think that team you put together has a shot at winning the WS. Not that you said it did, it's probably a realistic portrayal of what the roster would look like under the prior regime, hopefully the new one makes some bolder choices.

You are 100% correct - the roster I put together is not WS worthy. It kind of falls into my point and your point, that until the FO makes some bolder moves - the Twins will continue try and find lightning in the bottle. The old regime is gone for a reason, lets hope the current FO can convince our best buddy (Pohlad) to open up the bank a bit and put their own personal marking this franchise. 

IMHO, re-signing Mauer for 2 years and Dozier for 4 is a better move, (still a combined payroll savings) and keep Escobar and probably Adrianza as well.

3B remains a potential concern, but we just don't know enough about Sam's status at this point.

Just like here and now, it's pitching that is the key, and an upgrade of such.

Very interesting to see you put May and Mejia in the bullpen. Not saying you are wrong to do it, just find it interesting.

In two more years, I think Berrios might be as good as just about any of those free agents! However the rest of the Twins 2019 rotation figures to be a complete unknown at this time.

I am still a David Price fan and maybe he will accept a smaller contract at that time to play for a smaller market than Boston. When the All Star game was in Minneapolis, Price spent his All Star break just bumming around the Twin Cities prior to his team playing the series at Target Field after the break. Maybe the quality of life here could appeal to him (hey, wouldn't hurt to ask).

Name me a team that is won a world series after signing a big name FA pitcher to be the frontline of their staff?  The only 2 I can think of is Yankees with Sabathia and Cubs with Lester.  My counterargument to both of those is that Lester was compliment and a finishing touch to a team that already a world series caliber lineup and pitchers like Arrietta.  The Yankees won in Sabathia's 1st year in NY.  He was a stud.  For the near decade after that championship the Yankees have as many non playoff seasons as playoff seasons.  Overpaying for pitching on the free agent market only guarantees one thing.  At some point you will regret signing the player.  It certainly does not guarantee a world series.  

I think Brent Rooker takes over 1B in 2019 and destroys baseballs al la Kris Bryant. Sure, sign a Josh Donaldson to cover down on 3B and the lineup goes something like this:

Buxton (CF)

Polanco (2B)

Rosario (LF)

Donaldson (3B)

Sano (DH)

Rooker (1B)

Kepler (RF)

Castro ©

Gordon (SS)

The lineup has 3 RHH followed by 3 LHH in the 4-9 spots, but, I don't think you move Gordon up to say, the 2 spot and shift everyone down one. Nor would you swap Gordon for Polanco would you? Meh...either way, I think that's a pretty powerful lineup that will score runs. I do see the need to get some addktional LH Power in the lineup to create more balance. I just see Rooker taking the league by storm amd they'll have to find room for him at 1B or the OF. Kepler and Rosario can hit 50-55 HR between the two of them, so there's ZERO need to replace them. Buck is going nowhere and can hit 20+ HR. Sano hits 30. Donaldson hits 30. Rooker hits 25. Polanco 10-15 with 2Bs power. Castro maybe 10. Gordon maybe 5.

FA pitching is where I get lost in the sauce. As long as they're meeting expectations, the starting 5 listed in the article looks decent enough to me. Santana probably won't be the staff Ace in 2019; I think Berrios earns that title by then. Gonsalves, Romero, Pineda could be a really solid back end of the rotation.

Berrios

Santana

Gonsalves

Romero/Pineda/Mejia/Slegers/May/Stewart (Pick 2)

Slegers, May, Mejia...not sure you have all 3 of those guys in the pen. I think May is a 6th or 7th SP on this (2019) team, or he beats out someone like Romero. Slegers just doesn't do it for me in the pen and fits the AAAA mold in my eyes right now. If the rotation is demonstrably capable, then I think you drop some cash on building a DOMINANT bull pen and add a guy like Kimbrel.

Kimbrel

Chargois

Rogers

Jay

Hildenburger

Jorge

May/Pineda/Mejia/Stewart/Slegers (Pick 2)

Woof. I'd want nothing to do with Donaldson, Smoak, or Adams. Donaldson for the years, Adams because he can't hit LHP, and Smoak because I'm on the Rooker bandwagon. I'd rather give Moustakas 5/$85-90 this year when the market is suppressed.