Ryan is giving Molitor some options.

options to screw things up. 

 

If Buxton isn't the Starting CF out of Spring Training, it will be Molitor's fault. 

 

These CF Options should be irrelevant.  

If the Twins signed a 5-10M player for the stopgap OF/4th OF role then many would be complaining that he was going to block a deserving prospect.  If the Twins sign a veteran on the cheap for the role then many will complain that he isn't good enough.

 

If Sweeney can still hit RHP then I like this move.  Santana and Sweeney can platoon at the beginning of the season if Buxton isn't available at the beginning of the season.  And there is still room for Arcia on the bench.  And it is really easy to promote Buxton to replace a guy making <1M.  That isn't

 

If Buxton isn't the starting CF out of spring training then it is Buxton's fault that he didn't play well. 

 

I don't see Mastro or Benson being part of the equation.  AA/AAA depth at best.  Sweeney actually has an MLB role if he bounces back.

There isn't really any way to read the Twins offseason except to conclude they're out of money.

The Twins are really good at finding depth for the 4th/5th/6th/7th OF spots and the 5th and 6th guy out of the pen in the organization, I just wish they would be more concentrated on finding actual impact arms and bats once in a while.

 

If that's the case, that's a pretty solid fourth outfielder... I'm not sure he's capable of that any more, but maybe.

 

I think that your definition and my definition of what is a "solid" player is a tad apart

 

Jordan Schafer was a replacement level player for the Twins.  Replacement level is not "solid".   Ditto Darin Mastroianni, Alex Presley, Clete Thomas, Erik Komatsu, Jason Repko, Jason Pridie, Jason Tyner, and Shane Robinson, etc.   The Terry Ryan Twins like to carry at least a replacement level veteran OF on their rosters for some reason.  This does not make them "solid".

 

On the other hand, 4th OF for the Royals was Jarrod Dyson who is a solid player

 

I think that Eddie Rosario would be a solid 4th OF for the Twins.  All they need to do to make it happen is go get 3 better than him starters ahead of him  

 

They got to raise the bar to seriously compete for and through the postseason, something that last happened 25 seasons ago.

 

Three words.......MINOR.....LEAGUE.....SIGNING.

No games were lost and no bank accounts were hurt in the process

 

I think that your definition and my definition of what is a "solid" player is a tad apart

 

Jordan Schafer was a replacement level player for the Twins.  Replacement level is not "solid".   Ditto Darin Mastroianni, Alex Presley, Clete Thomas, Erik Komatsu, Jason Repko, Jason Pridie, Jason Tyner, and Shane Robinson, etc.   The Terry Ryan Twins like to carry at least a replacement level veteran OF on their rosters for some reason.  This does not make them "solid".

 

On the other hand, 4th OF for the Royals was Jarrod Dyson who is a solid player

 

I think that Eddie Rosario would be a solid 4th OF for the Twins.  All they need to do to make it happen is go get 3 better than him starters ahead of him

 

They got to raise the bar to seriously compete for and through the postseason, something that last happened 25 seasons ago.

 

I mean, sure... Buxton would probably be a solid 4th OF in a few years. When you've got starters of Rosario, Buxton and Sano, the 4th OF need is different than if you've got Arcia, Rosario and Sano... 

 

I just don't get it. Chris Young and Ryan Rayburn will be very affordable (though I guess not minor league contract cheap) and Raji Davis wasn't expensive.

Chris Young actually already signed a while ago, two year, $13 mil with Boston:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/red-sox-sign-chris-young.html

 

I'm not usually against minor league signings but Sweeny, Benson and Mastroianni? That speaks pretty loudly that they aren't going to go get an actual MLB outfielder even though they really, really need one who can hit lefties since Rosario, Arcia and Kepler are in the mix.

I just don't get it. Chris Young and Ryan Rayburn will be very affordable (though I guess not minor league contract cheap) and Raji Davis wasn't expensive.

I've said several times recently that I thought the Twins didn't have money issues, but just didn't want more long term commitments at the moment. I'm wondering now though if Park's $12.5M negotiation fee did actually eat up every dime available this year.

And do you know for a fact that TR didn't reach out to any of these guys?

 

Twins are just one of a large family of 30 siblings. I had a hard enough time getting heard as one of 6.

And do you know for a fact that TR didn't reach out to any of these guys?

 

Twins are just one of a large family of 30 siblings. I had a hard enough time getting heard as one of 6.

IMO, I don't care if TR reached out to someone. That does nothing.

 

Signing someone is all that matters.

 

My wife doesn't give me credit for reaching out to the garage, she gives me credit when I actually clean it.

I reached out to my garage but it did not want to sign on to have me clean it.  Minnesota is a hard place and many garages don't want to spend their careers here.

IMO, I don't care if TR reached out to someone. That does nothing.

.

 

Signing a STARTING outfielder who knows that Buxton, Rosario, Kepler and Sano are NEXT YEAR'S outfield, is not easy. The Twins would be offering a one year contract to a guy who wants more years, which will be offered to him by another team.

Sweeney is probably better than Shane Robinson who tied up a roster spot all season so there's that I guess.