No more signings, but we should look at trading for a pitcher starter, reliever, doesn't matter. And since Falvine seems reluctant to give up a high draft pick, I'd prefer we break even and put some nice prospects such as Gordon, Kirilloff, Graterol, Enlow, etc on table and then replenish the system with college players who they think will "sprint through the system." 

 

And although our bullpen seems complete I'm not comfortable with Rogers as our top lefty or Duke as Bosher's replacement, soooo why not offer Gordon, Graterol, Enlow, Stewart, and Lamonte Wade for Brad Hand, a multi-inning relief ace.

I understand that Brad Hand is local, young and very good.  But trading Gordon, Graterol, Enlow, Stewart and Wade for him?  All five?  Personally, believe that the Twins should not trade Graterol or Enlow.  Both have the potential to be that ACE we have longed for.

I’m fine with going into the season with the players we have. We have the talent to compete for one of the wildcard spots and if we are close to Cleveland at the deadline then we trade for a top starting pitcher. No need to commit long term to a pitcher that likely wouldn’t push us over the top anyway. I would be fine with a one year deal for either Lynn or Cobb though.

I’m fine with going into the season with the players we have. We have the talent to compete for one of the wildcard spots and if we are close to Cleveland at the deadline then we trade for a top starting pitcher. No need to commit long term to a pitcher that likely wouldn’t push us over the top anyway. I would be fine with a one year deal for either Lynn or Cobb though.

Even a three year deal for either one wouldn't be bad.

I want us to keep our draft pick! \m/

For me, the one last move should be to extend our best players to guarantee future contention.  Doze two or three years at market, extend our outfielders and Berrios.  Sano is in limbo for now. Mauer a one year 10 million. If he'd do that. 

Purely hypothetical question. IF Greg Holland does not get any offers to be anyone's closer, do we go to plan B for FA pitching and sign him on a cheap one year deal (maybe 7-8 million)?

*and if Arrieta/Cobb/Lynn end up out of our price range*

 

This way, if we get 5 solid inn from our starters every game (especially Gibson and Mejia), we have a really strong pen to shorten the game.

 

We can have a closer by committee system and rotate Rodney, Reed and Holland, along with having really good depth for 6th/7th inn matchups. 

Edited March 7, 20188 yr by cmoss84

 

Purely hypothetical question. IF Greg Holland does not get any offers to be anyone's closer, do we go to plan B for FA pitching and sign him on a cheap one year deal (maybe 7-8 million)?

*and if Arrieta/Cobb/Lynn end up out of our price range*

 

This way, if we get 5 solid inn from our starters every game (especially Gibson and Mejia), we have a really strong pen to shorten the game.

 

We can have a closer by committee system and rotate Rodney, Reed and Holland, along with having really good depth for 6th/7th inn matchups. 

I think the new brass is generally not into the "closer" tag, and have sort of gifted it to Rodney, despite him not being our most shut down reliever. I would look at Reed and Holland as firemen, and Rodney is the 9th inning guy. 

I think they should be kicking tires on Holland regardless. 

 

If Lynn or Cobb will come over on a 1 year deal OK. Otherwise I have no interest in them. To me both pitchers look more likely to bust than to benefit.

 

 

 

Bust?!?  Seriously?  Come-onnnn, based on what?

I think the answer is none of the above.  I believe the deadline is June 1 as far as having to give up a draft pick (anyone remember the Kendrys Morales signing?).  After that, if they aren't signed, they become a possibility.  Feels like FO wants to see what they have (for this year and next) in.....Mejia, May, Gonsalves, Romero, Littell, Hughes, Duffey, etc. before committing to an FA.

It’s not going to be Lance Lynn. It’s been reported the Twins offered Lynn a 2 yr $20 million offer. It looks like they didn’t even make a real attempt at Lynn just like Darvish. So no, I am not buying they really tried to get Lynn because a 3 yr $45 million contract might have been enough to sign him.

It's not going to be Ricky Nolasco.....

It’s not going to be Lance Lynn. It’s been reported the Twins offered Lynn a 2 yr $20 million offer. It looks like they didn’t even make a real attempt at Lynn just like Darvish. So no, I am not buying they really tried to get Lynn because a 3 yr $45 million contract might have been enough to sign him.

that reported offer might have been a text hypothetical to test the water. Just cuz it was turned down, doesn’t mean the Twins won’t sign him.

 

The FO has done a nice job this off season in adding some key pieces to the puzzle. However, it still feels like one more signing is coming. I am not good at creating polls-so here is my question in normal thread format:

 

Choose between these three options for a 1 year/$12 million deal 

 

A ) Lynn (buying into his stuff and experience)

 

B ) Cobb (buying into his experience in the AL/AL East)

 

C ) Moose (anticipating Sano missing some time and buying into an all-lefty lineup)

 

* I understand they might be more expensive. This is purely hypothetical. 

Guess we went with A!

 

Awesome-so much of an upgrade over Mejia/Gibson/rookies. This has been the best off-season I can remember. I guess the patience paid off!

 

Guess we went with A!

 

Awesome-so much of an upgrade over Mejia/Gibson/rookies. This has been the best off-season I can remember. I guess the patience paid off!

The last offseason I enjoyed this much was the one before the 2010 season when we got Thome and a whole new MI.

I wonder what Greg Holland wants for a one year deal.

Edited March 12, 20188 yr by ahart10

How about Alex Cobb to round up that rotation on a one year deal?  DEAL OR NO DEAL!

 

It's not going to be Ricky Nolasco.....

 

yikes!  I'm shaking in my moccasins.

It’ll be amazing to see Nolasco pitch against the Twins 2 or 3 times in 2018.

 

It’ll be amazing to see Nolasco pitch against the Twins 2 or 3 times in 2018.

 

Boy, that would be great. Looking at the schedule though, the Twins don't play the Royals until late May and then not again until July! If Nolasco makes it that long as a starter with a rebuilding team it would be a minor miracle.

 

The FO has done a nice job this off season in adding some key pieces to the puzzle. However, it still feels like one more signing is coming. I am not good at creating polls-so here is my question in normal thread format:

 

Choose between these three options for a 1 year/$12 million deal 

 

A ) Lynn (buying into his stuff and experience)

 

B ) Cobb (buying into his experience in the AL/AL East)

 

C ) Moose (anticipating Sano missing some time and buying into an all-lefty lineup)

 

* I understand they might be more expensive. This is purely hypothetical. 

Nailed it.

 

It’ll be amazing to see Nolasco pitch against the Twins 2 or 3 times in 2018.

We had the privilege last June and didn't do a whole lot with it, although it was a win for us:

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ANA/ANA201706040.shtml

 

Boy, that would be great. Looking at the schedule though, the Twins don't play the Royals until late May and then not again until July! If Nolasco makes it that long as a starter with a rebuilding team it would be a minor miracle.

Nolasco might not make it at all, unless another Royals starter gets injured this spring. Although the "rebuilding" Royals still have the toasty Kennedy and Hammel making significant money this year, and the Royals were 1-7 behind them against the Twins last year.