I don't know if I'd be willing to trade Escobar. We don't know if Mauer is going to return next season which also effects Sano and where he'll play. He's not guaranteed to stick at 3rd anymore and with Dozier gone it's not a given that Gordon will come up and thrive. He's the one player I would hold onto just in case Sano continues to suck, Gordon doesn't click right away and Polanco falters. 

I want to extend him. I've said that a million times. I was just stating what I think may happen. That said, he's a FA this offseason, so I'm guessing at this point he's going to test the market as it is unless the Twins plan on giving him a QO. We can always pursue him hard. I sure would in that scenario.

 

They wouldn't play in that silly one game playoff if they won the division...

 

I guess you got me there. I don't like this team though, honestly it might almost entirely be about the energy of the manager and the players.

 

I think they're close, I think they can get over the hump, just not this year. Kiriloff is really the only prospect I wouldn't trade, it would take one hell of a return for me to move Lewis or Gaterol, but I'd do it. Just not for rentals, I think this year's a lost cause even if they get to that 85 wins or whatnot they'd need to be a token playoff team.

They wouldn't play in that silly one game playoff if they won the division...

They could do both, like the 2009 Twins!

 

(I know, technically a tiebreaker and not a playoff)

I guess you got me there. I don't like this team though, honestly it might almost entirely be about the energy of the manager and the players.

 

I think they're close, I think they can get over the hump, just not this year. Kiriloff is really the only prospect I wouldn't trade, it would take one hell of a return for me to move Lewis or Gaterol, but I'd do it. Just not for rentals, I think this year's a lost cause even if they get to that 85 wins or whatnot they'd need to be a token playoff team.

I get it. Some days I feel like this team is a lost cause too. Like today's game.

 

The only reason I'm adamant about buying this year is I see a lot of flaws in Cleveland too. Their bullpen is a disaster and won't be fixed unless they trade for multiple players.

 

A couple of tweaks with the Twins and I think there's a chance to play 3 playoff games at the very least.

 

I get it. Some days I feel like this team is a lost cause too. Like today's game.

The only reason I'm adamant about buying this year is I see a lot of flaws in Cleveland too. Their bullpen is a disaster and won't be fixed unless they trade for multiple players.

A couple of tweaks with the Twins and I think there's a chance to play 3 playoff games at the very least.

 

That's been one of my biggest issues with the Twins though. They've always seemed to make decisions with an eye toward getting to the playoffs, not actually winning it all. Cleveland's spotty play doesn't really impact the Twins ability to win the WS.

 

I'm not really a 'chip, chair and a chance' guy.

Yes - we should be selling vets when we have minor league replacements.  This is not about selling as a way to improve.  Odorizzi and Lynn because we have Mejia and Gonsalves.  Dozier when he hopefully heats up because we have Gordon.  Belisle because we should not have signed him in the first place.  Rodney and Reed and Duke because we have Curtiss,Jay, Busenitz.

 

Trade from strength and get the next layer of talent in place. 

That's been one of my biggest issues with the Twins though. They've always seemed to make decisions with an eye toward getting to the playoffs, not actually winning it all. Cleveland's spotty play doesn't really impact the Twins ability to win the WS.

 

I'm not really a 'chip, chair and a chance' guy.

The way Houston, NYY, and BOS are building super teams, will the Twins ever be considered WS favorites without an extreme amount of luck?

We have a lot of trade assets where it is now or never to deal them this year. I hope we end up selling, but’s we may not be overwhelmed with the return if we do.

As long as they make up their minds and do not buy/sell/buy in succession like last year, it's all good.

 

Regardless of whether or not this team makes the playoffs, some players will be gone after this year. Unless the Twins think they can win at least one playoff series they should sell.

I agree with above posters that the schedule between now and the All Star break sets up well to see if the Twins are the team that went 4-2 against Cleveland and Boston, or the team that is a game behind the awful Tigers.

 

Assuming the Twins are out of it come the trade deadline, does anyone see any feasible trades?  What will contending teams need that the Twins have?  I think we'll have a starting pitcher or two to offer, maybe a resurgent 2B (should Dozier decide to "resurge"), an OBP / good defensive 1B, some bullpen arms and maybe an Ed or two. 

 

I've posted before that it would be nice to get one of the LAD's two AA catcher prospects. 

The way Houston, NYY, and BOS are building super teams, will the Twins ever be considered WS favorites without an extreme amount of luck?

If they can't then they'll have to go back to the drawing board because I'm tired of this participation trophy "awe shucks, just happy to be here" baloney we've put up with for nearly 30 years.

I agree with above posters that the schedule between now and the All Star break sets up well to see if the Twins are the team that went 4-2 against Cleveland and Boston, or the team that is a game behind the awful Tigers.

 

Assuming the Twins are out of it come the trade deadline, does anyone see any feasible trades? What will contending teams need that the Twins have? I think we'll have a starting pitcher or two to offer, maybe a resurgent 2B (should Dozier decide to "resurge"), an OBP / good defensive 1B, some bullpen arms and maybe an Ed or two.

 

I've posted before that it would be nice to get one of the LAD's two AA catcher prospects.

I'd be shocked if Mauer were to waive his no trade clause.

Not sure I'd trade Odorizzi, even if the team is going to waive the white flag. He has another year plus the possiblity of a QO. I'd trade anyone that is a FA this offseason that I wasn't planning on offering a QO to. But Reed and Odorizzi, I'd keep.

The Twins have about 30 days to see if anyone takes off and becomes a "hot" tradable commodity. Right now, Rodney, Gibson (if you don't want to arbitrate with him again) and probably Escobar are your best trade chips.

 

Otherwise, the other usual suspects: Lynn, Santana, Dozier, Duke, Reed, Morrison would basically be a "waiver-wire claim to deep-six remaining salary and getting low prospect back" whch you can do thru August.

 

The Twins have to decide on the fate of Escobar. Do you want him to bridge the gap at third for another season or two?

 

Is it better to let Dozier walk and then try and resign him if another team that he ends the season with doesn't keep him?

 

The Twins could basically "flush" a lot of veteran names: Reed, Duke, Rogers, Grossman, Adrianza and replace them with folks like Granite, Curtiss, Moya, Slegers, Bard, Reed and whatever.

 

Basically, if the guy isn't guaranteed a place on the 2019 roster, why is he still on the 2018.

 

And, truth-be-told with the stats some guys are playing, you wouldn't take much of a step down to go with the unknown.

 

Sell, Sell, Sell.

 

But you also run the BIG RISK of lots of empty seats come August and all of September!

 

We have a lot of trade assets where it is now or never to deal them this year. I hope we end up selling, but’s we may not be overwhelmed with the return if we do.

And THIS is the true meaning of selling...will be be overwhelmed or underwhelmed with the return.

 

Joe Mauer will continue to be the unquestionable in the room. Time to part ways, or keep him around as Mr. Twin...but will be be blocking ANYONE at first, and is Sano the DH?

Mauer won't get traded. I highly doubt Morrison, Odorizzi, and Gibson go either, given that they are all locked up for 2019.

Sellers? It really can't be a fire sale, there isn't any fire there. That would leave it as the Twin's garage sale.  The question is what do other teams need that the Twins have to sell?   There are expiring contracts of pitchers that do not do much to inspire the fans here, so why would anyone pay much of anything for them?. A lottery ticket is what you get in return.  A powerball ticket at that.  another Tyler Watson could be a lucky get for any of them. Getting another Enns is more likely outcome.  The Twins can sell a quite a few players, the benefit in the long term is what? The team saves money.

Edited June 23, 20188 yr by The Wise One