Minnesota Twins Talk

According to mlbtraderumors.com. we just signed Martin Perez. He used to play for the Rangers and is a lefty starter.

The Twins are set to offer Machado a 1 year deal. Of course this is fake news all across the board that there are 2 mystery teams with the highest bids. The one true fact is the Twins probably did offer him a 1 year deal because we would not want anyone signed to a long term deal under this ownership.

Who in the gosh darn heck is our closer this year? Any predictions? Kimbrel? Bottom feeder FA? Existing member of the bullpen? Night by night match-ups? FA options still out there: AJ Ramos has some experience, but had a terrible 2018. Does Greg Holland have anything left in the tank? Tyler Clippard or Justin Wilson might be worth a shot. Some on here talking about Brach. Carson Smith is an under the radar guy. What say you?

Brad Brach's name comes up here now and then, but today MLBTR has an item (via LaVelle) talking up the chances of Brach coming to the Twins. TD's Offseason Handbook pegged him at around $6.5M for a year; MLBTR guessed him requiring 2 years for a little less per year. While he's not the high-end guy that would move the needle, I think he'd be an improvement over whoever is thought to be at the bottom of the current bullpen. His 2018 was up and down, but he finished strong. I assume TD stalwart Brach Beauchamp would be in favor.

Welp, you can call me surprised. We all knew the Parker signing was happening. That was a Ken Rosenthal report a week or so ago. Earlier today, Jon Heyman tweeted that the guaranteed money in the deal was less than we thought ($1.8 million) but that there are incentives based on days on the active roster that can push it up to $3.2 million. The news that is shocking to me is that John Curtiss was the player to be DFAd. Dude throws hard,, has some secondary pitches and a good mentality. He was probably about 8th on my personal list of guys who might be DFAd... Guess not. I assume he will be claimed by someone.

They have zero contracts past 2020. Coincidence? Aversion to commitment? Lining up to sign every bargain free agent that year? Or, for sale?

OK, so we know that they have some salary issues. We know we have money to spend (and yes, I'm concerned that the FO may handcuff this team in some way)... but getting Zach shoudl be very doable if the Twins think he will age well over the next three seasons... so what would it take? My first thought is that we need to figure out who we are comfortable starting. Right now, Gibson and Berrios are locks. As much as I want May starting, I think that ship has sailed. We also have Pineda, Odorizzi ,and Mejia that will probably require spots... so what's the answer? Would AZ take something like Odorizzi and Gonsalves for Greinke straight up, or is that too high/too low a pr…

How much better do the Sox get if they ink Machado?? Reportedly 8 years 250?? https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/01/white-sox-have-made-eight-year-offer-to-manny-machado.html

The Twins announced today that Aaron Slegers was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Nelson Cruz. Slegers would need to clear waivers in order to remain in the system. Slegers was the Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2017 and came out of the gates hot in 2018, earning Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for April. Unfortunately, he was only able to make 19 appearances between Triple A and the Majors, logging a total of 99 innings in 2018. Slegers has a 5.90 ERA in 29 innings with the Twins the past two seasons. In 39 starts at Triple A, he posted a 3.54 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and while his K/9 rate was a modest 6.8, he als…

https://twitter.com/The_Junkyard/status/1082776429782155264 Saving you the click, Twins are listed at 84. Which I think is totally fair right now, but it surprised me. Figured Vegas would have them lower. Would you take the over or the under? Why?

Here is a first guess as to the opening day / everyday batting order. I think of this as a jumping off point and invite iterations. Two assumption: 1. No new (important) batters are signed, and 2. (BIG assumption) Bux and Sano have great spring trainings. Here we go: Buxton CF Polanco SS Rosario LF Sano 3B Cruz DH Cron 1B Kepler RF Castro C Schoop 2B (Of course, if both Bux and Sano don't: Polanco SS Schoop 2B Rosario LF Cruz DH Cron 1B Kepler RF Sano 3B Castro C Buxton CF) Thoughts?

I wanted to start a discussion about who is a good candidate to be a low cost bullpen target for our pen. I think we would be well served to get one more solid arm. I think a good candidate for this since our front office seems determined to have no money on the books for next season would be a trade for old "Proved Closer" Brandon Kintzler. I keep reading how the Cubs want to shed some salary so they can make moves this off-season. Could we get Kintzler and have the Cubs eat 1-2 million of his salary for very little in terms of prospect capital? Maybe trade McGill for him. That would give us the following bullpen set up: Reed May Rogers Hildenberger Parker Kintzl…

Mark your calendars. Saturday, June 15 will be Joe Mauer Day at Target Field. There will be a pregame ceremony to retire Joe's No. 7 and the first 20,000 fans will receive a commemorative cap. In the press release, the team also announced the Mauer Bobblehead Four-Pack. They will be giving away bobbleheads to the first 10,000 fans on May 24, July 19, Aug. 24 and Sept. 7. The base of each of the bobbleheads will form a number 7. Anyone who orders a special ticket package will also receive an exclusive fifth statuette.

On New Years Day, a new twitter handle started that I think is worth following for Twins fans, at least if you're into the history of the team. What I have liked is that it includes current Twins,, but also Twins minor leaguers and, I assume, anyone who has played for the Twins since their arrival in 1961. I say that because they mentioned a couple of players that I hadn't heard of. Follow here: https://twitter.com/BirthdaysTwins Here are the January 1st birthdays, which I think show the range:

What's the story on him? I know the Twins elected not to give him the option for 14 mill. But I was just curious as to whether or not he finally healed from that finger thing and or has there been any interest in him out there and if so how much? Would he be worth 3 - 5 mill if healthy?? And since the Twins rejected his option would they even be able to negotiate?? I'm sure the player after being rejected probably wouldn't want to come back, but I was just wondering. Mainly because I haven't heard anything about him.

So I would like to start a discussion on Pineda for 2019. I have combed through his numbers, and see his stellar early career numbers with Seattle, and his struggles with the Yankees. I noted his great K/BB and his inflated BABIP and HR/rates in New York. I see some real upside for Pineda for 2019, and think it warrants some discussion. Then I went in search of previous Pineda threads, and I found the original signing topic and it’s nine pages of comments. I will save folks the trouble of rereading that whole thread (which included, in addition to opinions on the move, some new proposed statistics, brushing teeth and drinking orange juice, and Wham!) by summarizing:…

I am looking into getting the flex package for the upcoming year, but have a few questions on it for those who know/have gotten it before. 1. How hard is it to redeem the tickets 2. Can you redeem them to any game? 3. When are you able to start redeeming the tickets 4. Is it worth it? Fwiw, I would go to about 10 games on my own and then 3 or 4 others with family members. Go Twins.

One split that stands out for Odorizzi in his splits is breaking down pitches 1-25, 26-50, ... Last year matched his career numbers. He has solid splits for his career in the first three groups but there is a large drop off in the 76-100 set. This isn’t typical for a starter. Often the first 25 are the most difficult as they rarely occur against batters at the bottom of the order. It might not be that hitters are gaining an advantage the third look but rather his ability to perform drops off. None of the current typical pitching roles fit a pitcher who is effective through abough 75 pitches or 4-5 innings. Starters stretch out towards 100, closers might max at 25 and …

I had a feeling this was going to happen, but still a bit surprised when it was announced. I have stated repeatedly, all things considered, I'd like to have a deep and talented roster where my DH could be rotating amongst several players. But rosters don't always work that way. In truth, a season from now, thjs could be a reality with the guys on hand, and the likes of Rooker and Khirilloff on board deepening the roster. But this move, especially the terms of it, makes so much sense I'm still a bit giddy it happened. The Twins added a major, experienced, powerful, veteran bat for the lineup. They added a professional bat to influence the young players around him. I know t…

The Nelson Cruz news is finally heating up a cold winter! I welcome this dose of good news from the Twins- a shining light in the Minnesota sport scene-- As the Wild go through their usual paces, including the traditional mid-winter swoon-- And the Vikings continue their "drive" toward the playoffs-- I'm glad the Twinks made this move, and I no longer have to fear this:

Why is it in baseball we have to wait for weeks on end for anything to happen in free agency? In other sports like football and basketball top free agents sign within hours of free agency opening up. Take a page out of other major sports' playbooks baseball. We want HOT free agent news, and we want it now!

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/12/twins-sign-nelson-cruz.html https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1078311473519169538

moved to the other forum. Sorry. From diehard... apparently I cannot remove this first post after merging these threads. See the next post for the OPs orignal question.

To all the members of TD, I wish you all the best! I have been a passionate fan and follower of the Twins for over 40 years. As I have mentioned before, my father, the best man I have ever known, a devoted follower but non contributor of the site, taught me the game in my youth, often while simply listening to the radio. We share a passion for our beloved Twins, or we wouldn't be here on a daily basis. And while all of us agree, or disagree, or agree to disagree, one thing binds us. We are, for better or worse, LOL, fans of the Twins. Whether it is politically correct or not...and I dislike that term in general...I am a Christan man. But regardless of personal belief,…

According to the Star Tribune, Byron Buxton is displeased with the Twins after not being called up in September of 2018. According to Byron Buxton himself, in the article's video, he said he is "pissed". Byron Buxton's 2018 accomplishments: * 4 DL trips * Multiple migraines * Blurred vision * Broken toe * 134 games missed * 28 games played * 0 HR * 4 RBI * .156 BA * .383 OPS Byron Buxton has no real gripe here. He did absolutely nothing in 2018. He was completely clueless at the plate. I've got to say, though. I loved that video. Buxton actually broke the boring cookie cutter mold and said what he thought. Actually really respected that response. Sounds to me l…

I guess the Twins are trying damage control after upsetting their fan-base https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/12/twins-interested-in-nelson-cruz-wilson-ramos-joakim-soria-trevor-cahill.html

As the northwest wind blows the snow into wispy, white snakes and dunes across the roads and fields of NW Minnesota I offer up a new sponsor for this off-season for Twins Fans: Cold Stove Creamery Much like the original Cold Stone Creamery® the folks at Cold Stove take an all to infrequent schoop from a tantalizing bucket of potential goodness and plop it on top of a cold, flat season of unfulfilled promise and then attempt to make it good for us fans by adding analytical toppings to the extreme in hope we will keep coming back for more. While momentarily both delicious and intriguing, both companies leave a person with the same: Thoughts... - this second baseman …

Per Brandon Warne, confirmed via Darren Wolfson who says the reliever will get a spring training invite: Actually an interesting signing, and not just because Morin's an Andover, MN native. At age 27, he has logged 174 innings in the majors with a 3.32 FIP and 1.28 WHIP. Big buy (6'4" 220) and doesn't throw too hard but has a nice changeup, which he leans on heavily. Have the Twins found their next Matt Magill?

http://m.startribune.com/twins-aren-t-expected-to-roll-the-dice-at-major-league-baseball-s-winter-meetings/502283381/ Don't get your hopes up. The Twins, according to LEN3, aren't going to do much at the winter meetings. It's possible Cron and Schoop are the big signings this offseason.

So I did back of the napkin math only here but looked at three recent WS teams to see how they constructed their teams. I only added up the value of players worth 1 WAR or more. There's significant issues with this, of course. WAR isn't a great measurement for relief pitchers or power only hitters. In season trades might have had some impact by either bringing or removing some WAR that was/wasn't counted. And we're not counting negative WAR from crappy players. But, whatever. Boston had about 57 WAR from players. It broke down like this Trades - 19.5 (34%) FA - 14 (25%) Drafted - 19.5 (34%) intern signing - 3.8 (6%) Houston also had about 57 WAR as well Trad…