Minnesota Twins Talk

First of all, I'm a long time reader, first time poster, which is pretty exciting. I was reading Bonnes' article about Twins Daily and writing and figured I might have a little something to add. So here goes, I'm 25 and a big Twins fan. Grew up in South Minneapolis, been to at least 20 games a year since middle school. Got a TC tattooed on my arm. Got a baby picture of myself behind home plate at the dome. A top 3 moment in my life so far was game 163. I'm also a big baseball fan in general. I've been to a dozen major league stadiums and almost a dozen minor league and independent parks as well. Not much I'd rather be doing than sitting at a ball game with a beer and …

One year ago, I seriously doubt that anyone would have made a New Year's prediction that said the Twins would be in the playoffs in 2017 (if you did let all of us know!). Now here we are on December 31, 2017 and all the avid readers of Twins Daily are looking forward to 2018. What is everyone thinking? What are your hopes and dreams for the new year? Before you post anything, here are a few of my thoughts as I drink and l get ready to cheer in the new year: 1) Everyone who gets all negative on every off-season move needs to relax. 2) I am thankful for Twins Daily! 3) Will Yu become a Twin? Probably not but it is nice to be considered in the conversation. 4) …

For those of you you don't know, Dan Szymborski of ESPN puts out a yearly projection model of each club. Thes ZiPS projections are computer-based projections of performance. Performances have not been allocated to predicted playing time in the majors — many of the players listed are unlikely to play in the majors at all in 2017. ZiPS is projecting equivalent production — a .240 ZiPS projection may end up being .280 in AAA or .300 in AA, for example. Whether or not a player will play is one of many non-statistical factors one has to take into account when predicting the future. A lot of love for Buxton's defense with 15 defensive runs saved and a 3.2 WAR considering he'…

Back when The Met closed, a few guys started doing summer trips to see outdoor baseball, and it eventually became Ballpark Tours, organized by Julian Loscalzo and Sammy Samuelson. Sammy passed a few years ago (marking the end of their legendary Hot Stove Banquet) but Loscalzo is still doing a couple of tours, including one last year to Cuba. I came across this years' trips, and thought I'd pass them along. I can't personally vouch for them, but I know several people who have enjoyed them, in a counter-culture kind of way. Here's the high level view and you can find more info and how to sign up with the attached pdf. Windy City Hiatus June 28–July 2, 2018 Enjoy a long we…

On the 1st day of Christmas Falvine gave to me Nothing so I had to keep waiting. On the 2nd day of Christmas Falvine gave to me Thorpe and Gonsalves on the 40 and nothing so I had to keep waiting. On the 3rd day of Christmas Falvine gave to me A drafted Tyler Kinney, Thorpe and Gonsalves on the 40, and nothing so I had to keep waiting. On the 4th day of Christmas Falvine gave to me Burdi to the Pirates, a drafted Tyler Kinney, Thorpe and Gonsalves on the 40, and nothing so I had to keep waiting. On the 5th day of Christmas Falvine gave to me INTERNATIONAL BONUS MONEY!! Burdi to the Pirates, drafted Tyler Kinney, Thorpe and Gonsalves on the 40, and nothing s…

The thread in our forums on trading for Chris Archer got me to thinking: just who are the Twins biggest trade chips right now? I'm not asking who they're most willing to trade, but how would other teams (generically) rank the Twins trading assets? It's a combination of performance, team control and contract. I have given this all of 5 minutes of thought, but here's my first draft... 1 Byron Buxton 2 Jose Berrios 3 Royce Lewis 4 Miguel Sano 5 Eddie Rosario 6 Max Kepler 7 Jorge Polanco 8 Nick Gordon 9 Stephen Gonsalves 10 Fernando Romero 11 Tyler Jay 11 Alex Kiriloff 12 Adalberto Mejia 13 Zach Granite 14 Trevor Hildenberger 15 Brent Rooker 16 Mitch Garver I'd love to s…

I fear that until Mr. Napoli retires, this is going to be a threat every year. http://www.startribune.com/twins-notes-napoli-of-interest-for-both-batter-s-box-and-clubhouse/465821043/ At this point, I'm not sure what I dislike more - them actually signing him, or them threatening to sign him every year.

Championship.

I was hoping that the Twins would announce that they have come to terms with one of the top starting pitchers that are available. Oh well, more Kohl I guess?

Since there is a Gerrit Cole topic, let’s try one for a better pitcher who could be a Twin for four years instead of two. What kind of a deal would it take? And could they land him without giving up Lewis, Buxton, Sano, or Berrios? Here’s my suggestion: Kepler, Gonsalves, Jay, and Kiriloff. Would that be enough? Would Gordon have to be in the deal? Or Rosario?

I see a lot of mentions of what the Twins should do with the money from Marte's failed signing. Now that Ohtani is officially out for the Twins, let's discuss. I know Maitan is the big name of the ex-Braves prospects, but I assume he'll cost all of the money remaining. I'd shoot for what seems to be the best pitcher among the group, Year Del Rosario. He held his own as a 17 year old in the GCL and may remain a starter with good upside. I'd also be aiming for recent Cuban defector Julio Pablo Martinez, a 21 year old projected to start at High-A or AA with a good power/speed combination.

Word is the Twins are looking for a right-handed power bat, but why not a left-hander who can hit both LHP and RHP?

Would it be worth it to aquire Kemp for a C- prospect to be a DH if Los Angeles paid all but 2 or 3 million? They are rumored to release him if they cant find a trade partner and may throw in a prospect to take some money in the deal. Per mlb traderumors. I know we could use a rh bat

In the ESPN article below, MLB has begun a trend back towards disparity. Teams have begun taking a more clearly defined rebuild/push to World Series contention. http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/21769342 It’s not clear to me where Falvine really see their team. Much like the Marlins, the Twins have a very good hitting side of the team and need help on the pitching side. With the winter meetings concluded. What are the indications? How do you read the tea leaves? Is it still realistic to get Darvish and does that change the narrative in context to the disparity of the league?

The NY Post reported the Yankees are working on a deal to acquire a Gerrit Cole. Players mentioned include Clint Frazier and Chance Adams. The Twins might be able to step in here. How would an offer of Kepler and choice of Gonsalves/Romero match up? Maybe a little light but close. The third piece could win the deal. Do you step in here and try to top the Yankees rumored offering of Frazier and Adams? How much beyond Kepler and one of Gonsalves/Romero do you go to persuade the Pirates?

I'd never heard of him, so here's the press release... TWINS NAME GARVIN ALSTON PITCHING COACH Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have named Garvin Alston as Pitching Coach. Alston becomes the 16th pitching coach in club history and fourth since 1985. Alston, 45, most recently served as Major League Bullpen Coach for the Oakland Athletics after beginning the 2017 season as Pitching Rehab Coordinator for the San Diego Padres. The 2018 season will mark Alston’s 14th as a coach in some capacity at the professional level. He previously served as the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Major League Bullpen Coach in 2016, Minor League Pitching C…

Respond to as many as you like. Just curious what people think is an expected return for the below players (All have some degree of availability via trade). SP Gerrit Cole – 2 Years of Team Control 2018 (28) – Arbitration 2 2019 (29) – Arbitration 3 SP Chris Archer – 4 Years of Team Control 2018 (30) - $6.25 M 2019 (31) - $7.50 M 2020 (32) - $8.25 M Team Option 2021 (33) - $8.25 M Team Option SP Jake Odorizzi – 2 Years of Team Control 2018 (28) – Arbitration 2 2019 (29) – Arbitration 3 SP Dan Straily – 3 Years of Team Control 2018 (29) – Arbitration 1 2019 (30) – Arbitration 2 2020 (31) – Arbitration 3 SP Marcus Stroman – 3 Years of Team Control 2018 (27) – Arbi…

Don’t worry Twins Fans. Almost every upper echelon Free Agent is yet to sign. Here is my list of the Top Remaining Free Agents at each position and then my top 50 overall. It is worth noting that the highest rated player I had that has signed thus far has been Mike Minor, who was at 18 behind Logan Morrison. All top of my 17 Free Agents are still available, including 7 pitchers. Starters: 1. Yu Darvish 2. Jake Arrieta 3. Alex Cobb 4. Lance Lynn 5. C.C. Sabathia 6. Jaime Garcia 7. Jason Vargas 8. John Lackey 9. Andrew Cashner 10. Jeremy Hellickson 11. Jhoulys Chacin 12. Charles Tillman 13. Francisco Liriano 14. Matt Garza 15. Miguel Gonzalez Only guys of note to sign…

Wow. Just the kind of forward thinking move, many of us had hoped they'd make. Mod note: I am moving Pineda posts from other threads into this single thread. That may again change when TD columnists post an official Article shortly, at which point this thread likely will be closed for further posts. - ashburyjohn

With the Red Sox and Yankees both set up to be 95 to 100 win teams for the next few years, does it make sense for the Jays to start selling? With nearly a quarter of their schedule against the beasts of the east, and only one wild card in play, the best move for the Jays might be to start a 3-5 year rebuild now. The Twins can help with that, with a deep system full of potential high upside guys. Even better, if the Jays are tearing down, they’ll probably be looking for more lower level guys, rather than immediate big league help, which lets the Twins keep their now open window, well, open. To the Trade: Twins get—Josh Donaldson and Marcus Stroman Jays get—Fernan…

According to MLB Trade Rumors, Darvish has been talking to Chris Giminez about the Twins. Should the Twins bring Giminez back? He was Yu's personal catcher in Texas. Might re-signing his personal catcher be enough to win him over? I loved Giminez's flexibility last year - catcher, corner outfield, first base, third base (one game) and pitcher.

I guess I'm not that surpised with the overall number, but I am surprised with where the Twins are ranked. The Twins are 75:1 to win the World Series behind the Rays and .... the White Sox? Tied with the Royals? The only AL teams with worse odds are the Tigers and Athletics. Anyone know what the professional gamblers know that we don't?

Let me state, right out, that I have long been a proponent of keeping Sano at 3B. I've always felt he could and would handle the position solidly, if not quite well, with more than enough overall athleticism, arm and solid hands for the position. He showed marked improvement last season, and should only get better. Is there room for improvement? Absolutely, though we already have seen some. Being a large human being, does he have to monitor his physique or possibly even work a bit harder on his conditioning? I think we can agree on that as well. My concern, at this point, is can he physically handle the position. With all the 40 man moves, trades, thoughts on trades, fr…

It seems Vegas (and gamblers) are nowhere near as optimistic about the Twins signing Ohtani as folks are locally. I got this in my email this week: So if you think the Twins have better than a 10:1 chance, rush to get a bet in, because you also win if any more than 21 other MLB teams sign him, too.

i wonder if a team such as seattle or texas would trade their international cap space for a player like kohl stewart or some other prospects so we could get our offer up to 5 or 6 million before Ohteni signs. Of course Ohteni would let those teams know ahead of time so they have time to make the trade. if a team really wanted him they could trade their way up to 7 to 10 million so he could sign. would you offer Gorden for Texas 3 million cap space if it gave us ohteni? or which Yankees prospect should we pry from them for our space?

The Twins tendered contracts to their entire 40-man roster. No surprise. It was expected that all six arbitration-eligible players would be tendered a deal. Here is a quick look at the players in baseball who were non-tendered today. https://www.mlbdailydish.com/2017/12/1/16726396/full-list-of-non-tenders Drew Smyly is the one intriguing name to me... Former Twins utility guy Danny Santana DFAd by Atlanta.

With Berardino making this declaration And Joel Sherman One can only hope that @DerekFalvey AND #ThadLevine (what GM doesn't, at the minimum, have an intern tweeting as them?) are both in California right now Any neighbors, close personal friends or other baseball exec stalkers know Where in the World is Falvine???

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17Ks25huKVP_ducCpWbLmo7h-N09oIGBGoa940Uergz8/pubhtml Thought it might be good to put this as its own thread considering some of the other threads. Twins next year are already at 71m for five guys under contract + Perkins payout and money to Park and Nolasco. They have a few guys arb eligible - Giminez (A4 year), Esobar and Recker (A3 year), Gibson, Pressly, Adrianza (A2 year), May, Grossman (A1 year). Giminez and Recker are pretty easy DFAs. Gibson is probably, as well. Esobar would probably make 4m or so, Pressly and Adrianza might combine for 4m. May and Grossman maybe 2m combined? So that's roughly 10m for those five guys. …