Article: Awkward Decisions

[Otto von Ballpark]

But will you get external options that are quality on short-term contracts? You don't want to spend a bunch of money to build a log jam if you don't have to.

Maybe? Donaldson is not getting a long-term deal. Kinsler is mostly defense now, but still 2+ bWAR, and they could get him short term for 2B and get Escobar for 3B with an eye toward shifting to 2B later, and make Sano earn his way back into the lineup.

 

Just an idea, if the market allows.

[ThejacKmp]

 

Maybe? Donaldson is not getting a long-term deal. Kinsler is mostly defense now, but still 2+ bWAR, and they could get him short term for 2B and get Escobar for 3B with an eye toward shifting to 2B later, and make Sano earn his way back into the lineup.

Just an idea, if the market allows.

 

I think Donaldson will get 2-3 years if he wants it. He may decide on the one-year bigger salary type deal though. That could be a fit for the Twins since he could play 3B, 1B and DH regularly. Just doesn't feel like a Twins move but that may be TR hangover?

 

Really not interested in Kinsler. Feels like getting him is playing hot potato and hoping you have one more second to throw it to someone else before it blows up. He's been below-average for two years now and will be a 37 year old 2B next year. No one is surprised if his OPS+ is 80 next year. Kinsler seems like vintage TR.*

 

* I appreciated TR for what he was good for, those small trades and building a pen etc. But his free agency was painful. Say what you will and Flavine, their free agency isn't painful. There's real excitement and visible upside.

Edited August 30, 2018 by ThejacKmp

[Lonestar]

What's best for Buxton is best for the Twins. What is that?

 

Since the AllStar break he is slashing .340/.375/623/.998 at AAA. He is also striking out 29.6% of the time, walking only 1.8% and has a .457 BABIP. None of those numbers are sustainable, especially in light of that BB%/K%.

 

Note: Last year's post-All Star K rate was 28.5% K and the BABIP was .402. And the BB% rate was 7.1%.

 

Disclaimer: There was math involved and I have already amply proved my need for an editor and fact checker.

 

I would not base next March 28th's roster spot on his September performance. Cave has an option next year in case Buxton makes the roster at any time next year.

 

I suspect Buxton will spend 28 days on a MILB option next year, not to gain the extra year but hopefully be fixed.

 

If Buxton doesn't get another year of team control by MiLB option, they can still extend him. If they want to. After next year.

 

[big dog]

 

Of course, the Twins had an unlimited roster in September of 1987, so carrying Baylor didn’t hinder anything. That won’t be the case in 2019 from late March through August.

btw, other than catchers Tom Nieto and Mark Salas, the only position players for the Twins in 1987 that didn’t make the postseason roster were Chris Pittaro and, wait for it, Billy Beane. Flip a coin as to which one might have made the playoff roster instead of Baylor I suppose. Unless the Twins went with 10 pitchers instead. That would likely have been Mike Smithson or possibly Allan Anderson.

 

I'd rather have Mauer than Robbie Grossman, if you want to name names.  Sure, I'd rather have Machado.  But I'm a lot more likely to get Grossman.

 

 

[nicksaviking]

 

Assuming Molitor will not be excited to regularly use the backup C as DH, your DH options most days is going to be chosen from Cave or Adrianza. That's rough. Internally, Mauer makes sense for person #12 and can play 1B and shift Sano/Austin to DH.

 

Agreed that if the Twins go out and sign a 3B or 1B type, Mauer may be the one to go. But not sure who that would be. Point being, Mauer's spot is only taken if the Twins look externally at corner IF or DH. Will they? Time will tell.

 

This team doesn't now and shouldn't have a set DH, that era of baseball is largely over, everyone should be getting time there. Player #12's position isn't overly relevant when the roster already has a three deep depth chart for every position.

 

And I really don't want to sign a free agent 1B. The team already has 3 guys who play 1B and they've already had 7 players play at 1B this year, anyone can do it.

 

After the Twins win another World Series I'll maybe be more open to some of these legacy re-signings. Until then I'm taking my heart out of the decisions. Give me the best, most flexible, most modern lineup possible. I think this team can do way better with their roster than re-signing a below average 1B-only when they don't actually need another 1B.

 

And as it is, the Twins just have soooo much money to spend this year. Free agent upgrades should be really painless if that's the way they wanted to do it.

 

[Otto von Ballpark]

I think Donaldson will get 2-3 years if he wants it. He may decide on the one-year bigger salary type deal though. That could be a fit for the Twins since he could play 3B, 1B and DH regularly. Just doesn't feel like a Twins move but that may be TR hangover?

 

Really not interested in Kinsler. Feels like getting him is playing hot potato and hoping you have one more second to throw it to someone else before it blows up. He's been below-average for two years now and will be a 37 year old 2B next year. No one is surprised if his OPS+ is 80 next year. Kinsler seems like vintage TR.*

 

* I appreciated TR for what he was good for, those small trades and building a pen etc. But his free agency was painful. Say what you will and Flavine, their free agency isn't painful. There's real excitement and visible upside.

Donaldson would have to take a huge discount to get multiple years, I think. I can't really envision what that deal looks like, unless it's got a bunch of options / opt-outs?

 

Kinsler was just one idea. Point is, there are enough FA infielders that they aren't all going to get a lot of years or dollars. If they sign one guy better than that, a cheap short term projected 2 WAR type wouldn't be bad for the other spot.

 

Just thinking aloud, if we want to roll with a guy like Austin starting at 1B/DH, or Cave in CF for a bit, it might make it more tolerable to not simultaneously rely on Sano as a starter too.

[snap4birds]

For those of you advocating picking up a 1B/DH through trade or free agency, I think Jose Martinez is an excellent candidate.  He is 29 and won't hit free agency for several years, so you get his prime/decline years.  He's a very good hitter, with better career splits against RHP so far.  His WAR is reduced by his poor fielding at 1B, so he fits better as a DH/RF/1B in that order.  

He could be acquired pretty cheaply, too.  He's a better fit for the AL.  The Cardinals have a little roster crunch approaching, so they'd be looking for someone that doesn't have to go on the 40 man for at least one year (https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2018/8/30/17799042/40-spots-40-players).  

 

But if you're of the opinion that the Twins shouldn't have a semi-regular DH, then he's not your guy.  He's just that bad on defense, apparently.  

[ThejacKmp]

 

This team doesn't now and shouldn't have a set DH, that era of baseball is largely over, everyone should be getting time there. Player #12's position isn't overly relevant when the roster already has a three deep depth chart for every position.

 

And I really don't want to sign a free agent 1B. The team already has 3 guys who play 1B and they've already had 7 players play at 1B this year, anyone can do it.

 

After the Twins win another World Series I'll maybe be more open to some of these legacy re-signings. Until then I'm taking my heart out of the decisions. Give me the best, most flexible, most modern lineup possible. I think this team can do way better with their roster than re-signing a below average 1B-only when they don't actually need another 1B.

 

And as it is, the Twins just have soooo much money to spend this year. Free agent upgrades should be really painless if that's the way they wanted to do it.

 

You realize that under your plan, the Twins would be playing either Adrianza or Cave every day. That's before injuries.

 

They can go target FA but I'm not sure where that money should be spent. You could potentially go after a corner OF and move Kepler to 1B but that's a pretty light market - Gardner, Marwin Gonazalez, Harper and a lot of guys I'm not interested in. I'd love Harper too but that seems unlikely. You can get either a 2B or a 3B but getting both seems a bit irresponsible given the glut of exciting middle infield prospects coming up.

 

I'd like to see them pursue top end starting and relief pitching and an Escobar/Machado level infielder. After that, the Twins need to let their youngsters develop so I'd want to tinker around the edges a bit.

[Otto von Ballpark]

This team doesn't now and shouldn't have a set DH, that era of baseball is largely over, everyone should be getting time there. Player #12's position isn't overly relevant when the roster already has a three deep depth chart for every position.

 

And I really don't want to sign a free agent 1B. The team already has 3 guys who play 1B and they've already had 7 players play at 1B this year, anyone can do it.

 

After the Twins win another World Series I'll maybe be more open to some of these legacy re-signings. Until then I'm taking my heart out of the decisions. Give me the best, most flexible, most modern lineup possible. I think this team can do way better with their roster than re-signing a below average 1B-only when they don't actually need another 1B.

 

And as it is, the Twins just have soooo much money to spend this year. Free agent upgrades should be really painless if that's the way they wanted to do it.

But if you rotate Rosario, Kepler, Polanco, etc. through DH, then you are still giving extra starts to Cave and Adrianza.

 

I am not sure there is any meaningful trend toward no full time DHs around the league.

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=1&season=2018&month=44&season1=2018&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=3,d

 

The A's and Mariners are certainly doing well with them. Compare it to 10 years ago:

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=1&season=2008&month=44&season1=2008&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=3,d

 

Thome would have looked mighty good in a Twins uniform a few years earlier.

 

If anything, a team whose lineup is not that deep or strong should add the best hitters wherever they can, even if it is a full time DH.

[KirbyDome89]

 

Question for the pro "call up Buxton" crowd: What happens if he comes up and hits terribly in September? Frankly, that's a pretty likely scenario in my mind. It's nice that he's crushing Triple-A pitching (as a 24-year-old) while swinging at everything but there is little evidence that approach is gonna work for him in the majors. 

 

If this happens, how could we look back at the decision as anything more than an epic blunder, giving up a year of control so he could come back and struggle for like 40-50 PAs? 

 

Personally, I think the work he puts in during the offseason far outweighs whatever value he'll get from starting sporadically for three weeks in September. And I'd just as soon let him get started early on that. 

Then at the very least the Twins know he shouldn't start next season on the active roster and we don't have to watch him struggle to start the year again. I'd rather he try to apply adjustments during a meaningless month than during games that actually matter next April. 

[ThejacKmp]

 

Donaldson would have to take a huge discount to get multiple years, I think. I can't really envision what that deal looks like, unless it's got a bunch of options / opt-outs?
 

​Surprised you think Donaldson isn't going to do well in free agency. I know he's had an injury plagued down year but he's likely to be traded to a contender in the next 36 hours so he'll get a chance to make that back.

​Even if he doesn't, he's only 32 and had a 151 OPS+ from 2015 to 2017. That's elite production. Someone is going to offer him a longer 3-4 year contract after the Machado/Harper dust settles. They'll give him an opt out after the second year is my guess?

 

The only thing I could see is him not taking it and doing the 1 year redemption tour but that's a tough call for him. He'd be hitting free agency at 34 and even with a monster year, likely isn't going more than 4 years in the current risk-adverse climate.

 

It'll be interesting to see who's right here. I certainly see your caution but he's relatively young and seems worth a 4 year deal to the right team.

[mlhouse]

My brother in law is friends with the Mauers.   He says they have been preparing for retirement for the past year.   And that Mrs. Mauer is strongly in favor of it.

[nicksaviking]

 

But if you rotate Rosario, Kepler, Polanco, etc. through DH, then you are still giving extra starts to Cave and Adrianza.

I am not sure there is any meaningful trend toward no full time DHs around the league.

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=1&season=2018&month=44&season1=2018&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=3,d

The A's and Mariners are certainly doing well with them. Compare it to 10 years ago:

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=1&season=2008&month=44&season1=2008&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=3,d

Thome would have looked mighty good in a Twins uniform a few years earlier.

If anything, a team whose lineup is not that deep or strong should add the best hitters wherever they can, even if it is a full time DH.

 

If this team is going to get a full time DH, he better be OPS'ing +.800. And if he's only DH'ing because the team has to use a 1B who can't OPS +.800 than it's still wasting a roster spot.

 

If we were all cheering for a different team who was in the exact same position we find our Twins in now, let's say this was a Blue Jays site, would we be talking about bringing in Joe Mauer?

 

[Squirrel]

 

Fine I'll go first. For those not following the chain, we're doing a 12 (and 13) man position player list using only internal + Escobar (because we love Escobar and the Twins will get a FA 2B). The point is to see if Mauer would be one of the Twins best internal options in 2019.

 

​C

1. Castro

2. Garver

 

OF
​3. Buxton

4. Kepler

5. Rosario
6. ​Cave (4th OF)

7. Austin (regular DH, platoon 1B)

​IF

8. Escobar (2B, occasional 3B)

9. Polanco (SS)

10. Sano (occasional DH)

11, Adrianza (fill-in 2B, SS, 3B)

12. Mauer (1B/DH)

 

I don't even know who I'd use for spot #13. Seems like OF is super covered since Adrianza and Garver could also fill in in a pinch so I guess I'd go with Astudillo since he's an emergency IF and you have a third catcher and can use Garver more aggressively at DH if his hitting gets better in his sophomore campaign.

 

Overall I'd say that I don't see a reasonable alternative to Mauer internally. I guess you could go for Wade and make Austin/Kepler your 1B but I'm not sure that Wade is best served being the 5th OF with the emergence of Cave. Granite also seems superfluous. I'd much rather have them in AAA working every day and serving as Buxton insurance.

 

Externally is a different matter. If the Twins go after a 1B/DH, I could see Mauer being the odd man out. But again, not sure who that massive upgrade is barring a pretty significant trade or the Twins making a serious run at Nelson Cruz.

I don't consider that an upgrade, at all. These are basically the same players we've had. That is basically our same lineup ... where is the upgrade in that? We've got a LOT of payroll flexibility right now, probably something we won't have again for a while, we've supposedly got a pretty stocked farm system for making a trade or two ... if we can't do better than that, we aren't trying to win. imo. And #13 will be a pitcher.

 

Edit: I caught up with the thread and see you were putting together a team using internal only options. But my thoughts on that are still the same ... we lose.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Let him hit .100, who cares, as long as he's hitting .100 because he's trying to make some kind of an adjustment. There's only so much you can do in the cage/over the offseason. At some point you've got to do it against live pitching.

 

He's going to be much better off in the long run for having struggled through those 40-50 PAs as opposed to just sending him home. Also, you wouldn't want to get as many looks at him as possible for evaluation purposes? Maybe even just getting him out there will help him realize how other teams have him scouted/how pitchers are generally going about attacking him at the plate.

 

If there were no service time considerations, I'd imagine sending him home wouldn't even be thrown out as a possibility and he'd probably already have rejoined the big club by now.

 

What about the emotional/mental/confidence part?  This is a player the team/manager decided to hit third as a way of infusing confidence in him.

 

Maybe another month of gettting his butt handed to him by September roster fodder is an impediment to get him turned around.  

[Squirrel]

 

But will you get external options that are quality on short-term contracts? You don't want to spend a bunch of money to build a log jam if you don't have to.

Why do you want to go with short-term contracts?

[TheLeviathan]

 

I disagree either act is "shrewd."  I would call them "self defeating" in the long run.  I would also consider calling them "short sighted." or maybe "conniving."   Like saying "Look, we know how to leverage players...ain't we smart?"  Um, no. That's the Calvin Griffith way. 

 

You want good players to want to play here you treat them like family. Baseball is a business, but players like to be appreciated. 

 

Buxton could have hit his way into a situation where the Twins weren't considering this.  His inability to muster even pedestrian numbers have lead us to this point.  I appreciate your consideration of the human aspect, but at some point you're going to hvae to acknowledge that this is not realistic.  What you posted here sounds cute as a bumper sticker, but isn't the way to run a business.  Under your thinking, we might as well give life-time contracts and watch Mauer drive his Walmart scooter around the bases.

 

It's not practical.  There comes a point where you have to let the human element go and think about what's best for everyone - the team, the fans, and the business.  Mauer is no longer helping the team win as a full-time player.  And Buxton's only chance to be a help is to accept that he needs a serious reboot and his next chance might be his last.

[nicksaviking]

 

What about the emotional/mental/confidence part?  This is a player the team/manager decided to hit third as a way of infusing confidence in him.

 

Maybe another month of gettting his butt handed to him by September roster fodder is an impediment to get him turned around.  

 

Or maybe the September snub is enough for him to turn it around. It seemed to work for Dozier.

[ThejacKmp]

 

I don't consider that an upgrade, at all. These are basically the same players we've had. That is basically our same lineup ... where is the upgrade in that? We've got a LOT of payroll flexibility right now, probably something we won't have again for a while, we've supposedly got a pretty stocked farm system for making a trade or two ... if we can't do better than that, we aren't trying to win. imo. And #13 will be a pitcher.

 

Edit: I caught up with the thread and see you were putting together a team using internal only options. But my thoughts on that are still the same ... we lose.

 

Yeah, that wasn't really the point. We were putting together internal options because nick was saying that Mauer was not the best option for the Twins as is and I was arguing he was. This was an exercise in that debate.

 

If you look elsewhere, you'll see that the debate is pretty free ranging because a lot of factors influence Mauer staying at 1B. Biggest one is Sano - does the organization see him as the third baseman next year? If they do, then he's not a regular DH/1B, just a backup. If not and he moves to 1B, that makes Joe harder to keep with Austin needing ABs as well.

 

The other consideration is the free agent market. There are some okay options but outside of Nelson Cruz, nothing amazing. It'll likely come down to whether the Twins find a guy they really like (Smoak, Adams) and contract desires. Brent Rooker also plays a role and either makes a case for Mauer (Mauer can cede some at bats when Rooker is ready) or makes a case against Mauer (you can trade Smoak/Adams more easily than Mauer if Rooker needs PT).

 

Free agency is the only way (besides trade) to improve 1B/DH this year. I'm just not convinced that there's anything out there better than one more year of Joseph.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Or maybe the September snub is enough for him to turn it around. It seemed to work for Dozier.

 

Also a good point.  They may be switching from coddling him to a swift kick in the rear.  

 

I'm game for anything to salvage his talent.

[ThejacKmp]

 

Why do you want to go with short-term contracts?

 

Explained elsewhere but here again:

 

I want the Twins to sign a longer term deal for a 2B. Like many at TD, I like Escobar because he can play all over the place and he loves Fogo and he's Escobar. The debate has been whether the Twins should find another 2B/3B while moving Sano to 1B/DH permanently. If you do that, you need to decide if you want someone on a longer deal (better player) or shorter deal (not as good of a player).

 

I'm against the longer deal because of Lewis, Arraez, and Gordon coming up in the next few years. I want them to have room to grow and not get squeezed at the MLB level. I know you can trade guys but that always means that the minor league guy has to force the decision and thus spends more time in the minors.

 

So at that point, if the Twins are going to move Sano (again, this is an if, I think it's dumb to move Sano until you have to) then I'd like a shorter term guy. But when I look at that list of short-term guys, I go back to keeping Sano at 3B and keeping Mauer (or the Smoak/Adams/Cruz alternative),

Make sense?

[MikeW]

1) Buxton is still relatively young and plays arguably the best defense in baseball. On a “five tool” scale, he registers at the top of every category other than hitting for average. I’d like Rod Carew to work on drag bunting with Buxton in the off-season and spring training.. It would raise his BA considerably.

 

2) We’ve seen the mishandled plays by outfielders like Cave and Grossman. Defending against runs scored is just as important as hitting home runs.

 

3) As for Mauer, forgetaboutit. Joe will sign a two-year extension for $5-$8 million pet year. How many anchors does the Twins have on its 25-man roster? Paul Molitor admired Mauer, Twins management loves Joe. Mauer may be the only reason other than a competitive contract that would draw free agents to the Twins.

[ThejacKmp]

 

 

If this team is going to get a full time DH, he better be OPS'ing +.800. And if he's only DH'ing because the team has to use a 1B who can't OPS +.800 than it's still wasting a roster spot.

 

If we were all cheering for a different team who was in the exact same position we find our Twins in now, let's say this was a Blue Jays site, would we be talking about bringing in Joe Mauer?

 

Of course not. Because that would be like saying we should bring in King Felix. Some guys are tied to an organization and aren't on other fans radar.

 

I'll say this. If Joe Mauer wanted to play next year and was willing to play anywhere, he would get signed. He has value. Not star value and not big money value but he has value. The naysayers forget that in their desire to see an upgrade at 1B. I get the desire for that upgrade and if it exists, I get doing it though I would miss Joe and would want the upgrade to be substantial and real (Cruz) and not potential (another Morrison). But let's not pretend that Joe Mauer is only in the majors at the Twins largesse. 

Edited August 30, 2018 by ThejacKmp

[ThejacKmp]

 

1) Buxton is still relatively young and plays arguably the best defense in baseball. On a “five tool” scale, he registers at the top of every category other than hitting for average. I’d like Rod Carew to work on drag bunting with Buxton in the off-season and spring training.. It would raise his BA considerably.

2) We’ve seen the mishandled plays by outfielders like Cave and Grossman. Defending against runs scored is just as important as hitting home runs.

 

Points 1 and 2 matter. I don't see the Twins starting Buxton in the minors next year. His defense makes you give him a shot. At worst, he's an excellent 4th OF. That's a huge blow after the star hopes but that's his floor. 

 

And he is still just 24. I'd buy on giving him September off and getting that 28 year. I remember Carlos Gomez. Baseball is funny and sometimes things just click.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Or maybe the September snub is enough for him to turn it around. It seemed to work for Dozier.

And it didn't for Aaron Hicks.

 

Is it too late to snub Sano?

[Squirrel]

 

Explained elsewhere but here again:

 

I want the Twins to sign a longer term deal for a 2B. Like many at TD, I like Escobar because he can play all over the place and he loves Fogo and he's Escobar. The debate has been whether the Twins should find another 2B/3B while moving Sano to 1B/DH permanently. If you do that, you need to decide if you want someone on a longer deal (better player) or shorter deal (not as good of a player).

 

I'm against the longer deal because of Lewis, Arraez, and Gordon coming up in the next few years. I want them to have room to grow and not get squeezed at the MLB level. I know you can trade guys but that always means that the minor league guy has to force the decision and thus spends more time in the minors.

 

So at that point, if the Twins are going to move Sano (again, this is an if, I think it's dumb to move Sano until you have to) then I'd like a shorter term guy. But when I look at that list of short-term guys, I go back to keeping Sano at 3B and keeping Mauer (or the Smoak/Adams/Cruz alternative),

Make sense?

Yeah, then we get into the debate ... prospects are just that and unproven until they are proven. I say you have to go with putting together what you can now, long terms contracts included, and deal with the 'log jam' later through trades, releases, whatever. Those prospect are no way guaranteed ... look what we thought of Sano and Buxton, and look where they are now? I'm not giving up on them yet, but it looks a lot less sure. I just don't think we should be putting together teams now, and not signing certain players now because of who might be in the wings. While we can't necessarily do that every year, but this year we have so much flexibility. I want the FO to put a team together for NOW.

 

And I don't consider a 3-yr deal long-term. Long-term will be what Machado will get ... hopefully from us!

[Otto von Ballpark]

​Surprised you think Donaldson isn't going to do well in free agency. I know he's had an injury plagued down year but he's likely to be traded to a contender in the next 36 hours so he'll get a chance to make that back.

​Even if he doesn't, he's only 32 and had a 151 OPS+ from 2015 to 2017. That's elite production. Someone is going to offer him a longer 3-4 year contract after the Machado/Harper dust settles. They'll give him an opt out after the second year is my guess?

 

The only thing I could see is him not taking it and doing the 1 year redemption tour but that's a tough call for him. He'd be hitting free agency at 34 and even with a monster year, likely isn't going more than 4 years in the current risk-adverse climate.

 

It'll be interesting to see who's right here. I certainly see your caution but he's relatively young and seems worth a 4 year deal to the right team.

You might be right, I haven't thought about it too much. Donaldson missed about 40 games last year too. Could miss 100 this year, even if he returns soon. I just can't recall 4 year deals for guys who missed most of a season.

 

And it's a fairly crowded market -- Machado, Moustakas, Escobar, etc. And Donaldson may have a QO attached, and those 3 guys won't.

 

Some of it definitely hinges on him returning and hitting this last month. He got scratched from his 2nd rehab game yesterday, so there's still some uncertainty around that too.

[USAFChief]

 

Yeah, then we get into the debate ... prospects are just that and unproven until they are proven. I say you have to go with putting together what you can now, long terms contracts included, and deal with the 'log jam' later through trades, releases, whatever. Those prospect are no way guaranteed ... look what we thought of Sano and Buxton, and look where they are now? I'm not giving up on them yet, but it looks a lot less sure. I just don't think we should be putting together teams now, and not signing certain players now because of who might be in the wings. While we can't necessarily do that every year, but this year we have so much flexibility. I want the FO to put a team together for NOW.

 

And I don't consider a 3-yr deal long-term. Long-term will be what Machado will get ... hopefully from us!

I hope to heck the Twins aren't making decisions about 2019 based on Lewis and Arraez. I hope they're not even leaving room for Gordon. That's not how you build a winner.

 

If/when any of those three earn a place, it's not difficult to find room, and that's how it should be done. Make them earn a spot, then worry about finding room.

 

Too many good players has never, ever been a problem. Holding open a spot for someone in the minors, however, is how you end up with too few good players, and that's always a problem.

[USAFChief]

 

You might be right, I haven't thought about it too much. Donaldson missed about 40 games last year too. Could miss 100 this year, even if he returns soon. I just can't recall 4 year deals for guys who missed most of a season.

And it's a fairly crowded market -- Machado, Moustakas, Escobar, etc. And Donaldson may have a QO attached, and those 3 guys won't.

Some of it definitely hinges on him returning and hitting this last month. He got scratched from his 2nd rehab game yesterday, so there's still some uncertainty around that too.

There's no way Donaldson is getting a 4 yr deal. 

 

He's a real risk. But that's exactly why the Twins would be able to sign him, and it's exactly the type of player they need to target.

 

They're not getting Machado, let's be realistic. Standing pat is no answer, and they can't just bring in a couple minor league free agents and let them battle for the last roster spot.

 

They need significant upgrades at several places in the lineup. They might as well take risks that have a chance of being significant. A healthy Donaldson, and a return to form from Sano, and suddenly your lineup looks a lot different. 

 

 

[ThejacKmp]

 

 

You might be right, I haven't thought about it too much. Donaldson missed about 40 games last year too. Could miss 100 this year, even if he returns soon. I just can't recall 4 year deals for guys who missed most of a season.

And it's a fairly crowded market -- Machado, Moustakas, Escobar, etc. And Donaldson may have a QO attached, and those 3 guys won't.

Some of it definitely hinges on him returning and hitting this last month. He got scratched from his 2nd rehab game yesterday, so there's still some uncertainty around that too.

 

The QO is a big part. I've been reading that he likely won't get one. The Jays wanna bring up Vlad Jr. and they worry that Donaldson might take the QO since it would basically be a one-year prove-it contract and he'd know the QO would suppress his value on the market and keep him from getting that long-term deal. I'd be surprised if the Jays were willing to risk that for a draft pick, no matter how nice that extra pick is.

 

I also wonder what the market will be like. So many teams will talk themselves into Harper and Machado and be in on that - how many of them will restrain themselves when those two go to the Yankees? (kidding. Kind of.) Someone's going to go after the next tier and you can definitely talk yourself into Donaldson for 3-4 years. 

 

It'll be interesting.