Minnesota Twins Talk

Is it cheating to do this so “late” in the off-season? Maybe but I never thought the Twins would sign the biggest FA’s, except Correa and thought they may be active on the trade front. The big trade is Kepler to the Mariners, Arraez and Larnach to the Marlins (along with an OF like Kelenic) and the Twins receive Luzardo and hometown product Myers. Luzardo has the ability to be the frontline pitcher in the playoffs. He will probably spend some time of the but the Twins have depth to deal with that. Myers can rehab in AAA if he pitches and will take a spot in 2024. It’s hard to give up 3 players but I’m replacing them with experienced hitters for the top of the order and m…

The Twins are not going to sign Rodon. Correa signing here will not impact the Twins approach to the FA market. The last few days has seen a large portion of potential names that would move the Twins needle sign or be traded elsewhere. Now what? Please save your complaining about the FO for another thread. I would like to know what options you think the Twins realistically have left. Trades? Youth movement? (For those of you fighting off a heart attack about the Twins potentially entering retool or rebuild mode, I recommend you get your affairs in order...)

Yesterday, the Twins and veteran catcher Christian Vasquez agreed to a 3-year contract. Vasquez will be guaranteed $30M over the course of the contract, pending a physical. The Twins will look to Vasquez for consistency in offensive production and plus defense behind the plate (both of which have plagued the team the past two years)

Happened to see this... in a recent article, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic, The Twins have offered Correa "a massive contract far beyond anything in franchise history". No specifics yet as to what that offer entails. View full rumor

Done deal per Jon Heyman. 3 years, $30 million.

Thus far uncorroborated, reports have begun swirling the Twins and Marlins may be in talks to make a trade with the core pieces being established MLB players: starting pitcher Pablo Lopez and Luis Arraez (certainly with more coming from the Twins than just the batting champion). Lopez would be a step up from anyone currently in the Twins organization and is under team control for two more seasons. The 26-year-old right-hander had a solid season in 2022 but was an elite arm as recently as 2021. What would you give up to acquire Lopez? View full rumor

To me Catcher is more important than SS signing and Rodon should not get seven years, but the good catchers are going with MLB.com reporting San Diego is going after Vazquez. Where do we go? View full rumor

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/12/yankees-have-discussed-outfield-trades-with-twins-diamondbacks.html View full rumor

...for Correa? Perhaps. But I read a few posts in here floating the notion that salaries are only heading upwards from here. I agree... and $350M for a superstar might be a bargain as soon as next off season. I don't see many people talking about this, but think about what Shohei Ohtani could do to the free agent market next season, assuming health. You're getting a superstar hitter and pitcher in one. Could he get $500M? The Dodgers quiet off season could be getting below the luxury tax and clearing room for him. What does Correa's value look like then, heading into 2024? Food for thought.

I'm begging you. I'm tried of deleting this. I have fat thumbs and hit enter accidentally As a sidenote, is there a delete function somewhere?

In his latest article on The Athletic, Ken Rosenthal lists the Twins as one of the six teams that are in on 32 year old FA catcher Christian Vazquez. Other teams listed include Cubs, Cardinals, Padres, Guardians, and Astros (albeit in a platoon role). View full rumor

The Yankees are “preparing to make an offer” to left-hander Carlos Rodon, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post." This was on Yahoo sports. Giants - Yankees - Twins. Who wins? View full rumor

Another possibility for the rotation is gone and Rodon is going crazy. The Mets signed Senga for $75M over 5 years. He seemed like a possibility for us. Rodon is the big auction piece left for the mound. We could have afforded Senga, but I doubt is we compete for Rodon. View full rumor

Last spring’s signing of Carlos Correa was as unfathomable as it was exciting. Coming off a disappointing 2021 season, this was a much needed jolt for Twins’ territory. This unlikely pairing, however, overshadowed two fundamental dynamics for the club. First, even after inking the superstar shortstop, the Twins were projected by most systems to finish around the .500 mark. Much to our chagrin, it turns out there was validity to these projections, as the Twins finished 78-84. As welcomed as it was, Correa’s presence also eclipsed discussion of an emerging young core on the Twins’ roster. In fact, in 2022, the Minnesota Twins were the 11th youngest roster in baseball. Even …

I believe the “ace” or at least good free agent starting pitchers are down to 3. Carlos Rodon, Chris Bassitt, and Kodai Senga. Nathan Eovaldi and Ross Stripling may be there but I don’t like Eovaldi’s injury history and Stripling doesn’t have consistent numbers. Now I know we haven’t really been reported on any talks with Senga but the more I think about it the more he could be a fit for us. The Twins want an ace obviously and Rodon is an ace but I think is a crazy overpay. There are reports of us trying to trade for an SP but Pablo Lopez for Arraez isn’t worth it but that’s a whole other topic. Anyway Senga has that potential to be that ace that we need and will also be …

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/ Unfortunately Bogaert is gone. That means we have to fight deep pockets SF & Cubs for Correa & many teams for Swanson. Let's see what happens? View full rumor

I have really enjoyed the emotions I have triggered in my stand against giving Correa a large long term contract. But replies to replies seemed inadequate. Yes I think there will be a lot of buyers remorse in four years. Yes Correa was a very good player but in response to many of you: we would have missed the playoffs and finished in the same place in the standings without him last year. Do I want to see the owners keep the money? No. But I will still insist one great player does not make a team. I continually sight the Angels but they actually have three in Trout, Ohtani and Rendon. Judge did not get them to the WS nor did the big contract Padre…

The end result: "Once upon a time, the Minnesota Twins were faced with a difficult decision regarding their star shortstop, Carlos Correa. On one hand, Correa had been a valuable player for the Twins, consistently providing strong defense and powerful hitting at the plate. He was a fan favorite and a leader on the team. However, the Twins also had to consider the fact that Correa was due for a hefty contract extension. They had to weigh the value of keeping Correa on the team against the potential financial burden of his new contract. On the one hand, the Twins knew that re-signing Correa would solidify their infield defense and give them a strong presence …

Byran Reynolds has requested to be traded from Pittsburgh. his news has really shocked the MLB world. Many teams have salivated on the aspect of retaining Reynolds only to be denied by PIT. I'm sure PIT is reeling because Reynolds was their hope to finally begin to grasp the thought of competing. Now the flood gates have been opened. PIT organization is full of great prospects it'll be interesting how PIT will pivot. I really doubt that the Twins are serious about retaining Reynolds services. But depending how PIT will react, I'm hoping some how an avenue to Endy Rodriguese could open up. View full rumor

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2023-zips-projections-minnesota-twins/

With their projected 2023 rotation depth, how far should the Twins go when seeking rotation help this offseason?

This isn't going to be popular in Twins Territory but Dan Hayes is reporting that the Twins are shopping Luis Arraez in return for a frontline starter. Is a frontline starter worth losing the reigning AL batting champion? View full rumor

Talk amongst yourselves…

A lot to sort out here but quite a bit of good news mixed in. The Dodgers appear to be out on Correa, as they're not keen on spending that kind of money on a player their fanbase loathes. The Giants are still in after missing out on Judge, as are the Twins. He believes the Cubs are a long shot, though mentions the Padres possibly being in, which contradicts what I heard elsewhere where the Pads were "Turner or bust", which is baffling given how they already have Tatis Jr coming back this season. Boegarts and the Red Sox appear to be back at the negotiating table so that's good news as well. And given that the Yankees just broke the bank with retaining Judge, it's hard to …

Dougie from KSTP and Dougie with the Scoop, said on news last night, that rumors are Twins plan to meet with Correa and have been willing to offer 10 year deal, full no trade, multiple opt outs. No rumor as to money, and if they are offering most overall, but it sure shows how much they are willing to offer. If we do not sign him, if the rumor is true, they sure tried. View full rumor

The Twins have made no major moves. Obviously we are in serious talks with Correa but that has been going on for so long. All the big free agent SP’s are starting to fall off the board. We either need to sign Correa or don’t because if we keep wasting our time with him by the time he says no and signs somewhere else we are going to have no other options when we try turn to find an SP. How hard is it? Catcher, SP, SS done. We don’t even need a SS that bad imo. Lewis and Lee could be the real deal. Move on from Correa and make some moves!!

Not my first choice of the "big four", but he could be the most affordable and easiest to trade in a few years if all the prospects work out. https://www.sportstalkatl.com/rumor-braves-decline-140-million-dansby-swanson-counteroffer/

Doogie reported that the Twins have offered free agent catcher Christian Vazquez a contract. The long-time Red Sox player is entering his age 32 season and should come at a considerable discount over the recently signed Willson Contreras. But unlike Contreras, Vazquez is known for a steady hand behind the dish and an excellent arm. With the Twins' desire to split time with Ryan Jeffers, signing someone like Vazquez makes a lot more sense than breaking open the piggy bank for a top-flight catcher like Contreras. View full rumor

Watching some of the potential targets for the Twins getting signed by other teams (Haniger, Walker, Taillon, Bellinger) at what point should the Twins look at running with what they have and focus on retooling? I say retooling because I believe they have too much talent on the roster for a complete rebuild. Here are the big linchpins in my opinion: 1) Correa signing elsewhere 2) No FA SP sign here (Walker is already gone) If these two things happen, I do not think the Twins will be making any major moves and will be sitting tight to push the youth movement. In this scenario, I could also see them moving Gray and Kepler and planning for a 75 win season. W…