Article: Twins Daily Roundtable: Biggest Off-Season Need

[Cody Christie]

Twins Daily Roundtable is a weekly series. As part of this series, a question will be posed to the site’s writers and they will respond in 200 words or less (Some writers don’t like to stick to this limit). This will give readers an opportunity to see multiple points of view and then add their own point of view in the comments section.

 

With the regular season quickly coming to a close, Twins fans might be starting to think about next season. Minnesota has a lot of money coming off the books and very few contracts signed for next season. With this shift, comes the opportunity to reshape a roster.

 

This week’s Roundtable discussion is: “What’s Minnesota’s biggest need this off-season?John Bonnes

Can I be so vague as to say "a middle-of-the-order bat?" The lineup's strength this year was supposed to be its depth, and that still might be the case with anticipated growth from Jorge Polanco, Byron Buxton, Max Kepler and Miguel Sano. But when the middle-of-the-order bats fail to live up to their expectations, the team is left with an average offense. And a few injuries and it quickly becomes below average.

 

This offseason shouldn't be about filling in pieces. It should be about finding some foundational cornerstones upon whom the Twins can rely for the next four seasons at least.

 

Tom Froemming

How many times have I got to say this? Willians Astudillo lifetime contract. That's item No. 1.

 

Once that's worked out, the Twins are going to need to focus on quality. They already have quantity, but not a ton of players you can truly count on. I'd say the biggest need would be to find a threat to put into the middle of the lineup. I'm not confident Miguel Sano ever gets back to what he was, and as much as I love Eddie Rosario, if he's the best slugger in your 2019 lineup, you've got issues.

 

The pitching staff has its share of needs to address as well, but it's really difficult to win without a lineup that's able to produce on a consistent basis.

 

Ted Schwerzler

To a certain extent, the answer probably always needs to be pitching. It's great that the Twins have given Gonsalves, De Jong, Littell, and Stewart some run here down the stretch. It has been equally beneficial to see Andrew Vasquez coming out of the pen. The reality however, is that none of them look like anything close to a certainty opening the 2019 season.

 

Minnesota should have Kyle Gibson, Jake Odorizzi, and Jose Berrios penned into the rotation, but things are less certain behind them. Fernando Romero is likely a near lock to start in the big leagues, but another mid-to-upper level arm would be a big plus. The bullpen will need some retooling as well with the departures 2018 has seen take place. Although you can make arguments for bats around the diamond, lots depends on how the Twins want to configure their in-house options.

 

Cody Christie

To me, one of the biggest issues with 2018 was the underperformance of key pieces in the line-up. That being said, players like Byron Buxton, Miguel Sano, Max Kepler, and Jose Berrios need to take the next step. If the Twins are going to contend, their young players need to turn into the team’s most valuable pieces.

Sano has already been discussing his weight and he hopes to come into next season after a strong off-season spent between Fort Myers and the Dominican Republic. Buxton needs to prove he can stay healthy and handle the rigors of a full big-league season. Berrios was an All-Star but there is certainly some room for improvement after some up and down moments this year. Kepler might never be a middle of the order bat, but he could certainly become more consistent.

 

There are obviously plenty of holes to fill in the roster but the Twins need their young core to take the next step.

 

Steve Lein

With the Twins underachieving this year they sent off several veteran contributors and newcomers at the trade deadline, opening plenty of holes or questions for the 2019 season. Brian Dozier, Eduardo Escobar, Ryan Pressly, Lance Lynn, Fernando Rodney, and Zach Duke all found themselves in new places. That was nearly a quarter of their opening day roster.

 

You had an All Star second baseman, an extra-base-hitting-machine, shutdown set-up man, mid-rotation starter, and a closer in that group. You might lose Joe Mauer to retirement as well. Point is there are a lot of needs for this team.

 

When you ask me for the biggest need I’ll always point to starting pitching, however. Jose Berrios has had a great season and made the first of hopefully many All-Star teams, but he still has some development to turn into that “ace” we all covet. Thankfully the Twins lost out on Yu Darvish last year, but every team must spend money on pitchers at some point if they want to contend. With the payroll space they will have this offseason, they should shoot as high as they can to help their rotation.

 

If you missed any of the most recent roundtable discussions, here are the links:

 

Shifting Service Time

 

The Looming Mauer Decision

 

Grading the Front Office

 

Grading Molitor

 

Closing Time

 

Click here to view the article

[mlhouse]

The Twins are a rebuilding team and rebuilding teams do not have "needs" unless "talent" can be listed as a need.

 

Of their 25 man roster, they have perhaps 3-4 answered questions:

 

1.  starting pitcher  J.J. Berrios  (and even his upside level unanswered)

2.  3rd-4th starting pitcher Kyle Gibson

3.  3rd-4th stating pitcher  Jake Odorizzi

4.  quality corner outfielder Eddie Rosario

 

Beyond that everything is unknown and the Twins did not do much to answer those questions.  

 

Now, the real question is how will management respond.  Will they plug in a bunch of mediocre players they can sign on the cheap and give us more of the same?  Or will they tear it apart and enter serious rebuilding?

 

I say they will do the former and 2019 figures to be another lsot season..

 

[SF Twins Fan]

It's always going to come down to pitching. The Twins could use another pitcher to pair with Berrios at the top of the order and a legit closer to go with Rogers, Hildenberger and May.

[gunnarthor]

They need talent. Only three guys -  Buxton, Sano and Rosario - have all-star or better ceilings right now and Buxton and Sano have big question marks. Kepler and Polanco can be serviceable starters in the MI and RF but they're just complementary pieces right now. After that, the Twins have some big holes.

 

C- Garver/Castro - ugh, but probably passable in today's MLB

1B - Sano

2B - ?

SS - Polanco

3B - ?

LF - Rosario

CF - Buxton 

RF - Kepler

DH - ?

 

If we're dreaming, Manny Machado is the perfect fit for us (and every other team). But realistically, the FO is going to have to fix the line-up substantially. I like Cave as a 4th OFer but I'd be ok if we moved Kepler and plugged him into RF until Kiriloff was up. But the Twins can't have a bunch of black holes in the lineup again. They need some professional hitters. I'm not sure what's out there though.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/12/2018-19-mlb-free-agents.html

[gunnarthor]

I think pitching is a smaller concern, which is a bit shocking. But Gibson, Berrios and Odorizzi are all solid enough and we have Romero coming up and a bunch of arms behind that. I'd be ok adding another top arm, of course, but I'd rather the FO focus on improving the lineup.

[Vanimal46]

Gunnarthor hit the nail on the head. Their biggest need is talent all over the field.

 

1B, 2B, SS, 3B, CF, and DH are all question marks.

 

They also need talent in the bullpen. At least 3 acquisitions are needed there too.

[Battle ur tail off]

I'd try to go after Nelson Cruz on a 1 or 2 year deal. He's a bopper, Twins had a chance on him a few years back and didn't get him when they should've. Bring him in and let him DH. 

 

Find someone to play either one of the infield spots besides 1B. If you can find someone to play 3B, move Sano to 1. If you find a SS, move Polanco to 2B and if you find a 2B, leave everyone where they are at. 

 

Bullpen. Have to find at least 2 very solid guys of this will be a huge problem for them next year. We have money, spend it on the 2 best guys available. 

 

[Mike Sixel]

Lots and lots more talent......

 

1B, 2B, SS, CF, DH, and at least one more SP they can count on....oh, and 2-3 RPs.

 

So, ya, lots of things.....

 

but if I have to pick one thing to add, it would be a SP that is a 2/3 for the next 4 years.....give or take. That would be huge for this team. Kiriloff and Lewis are coming, as are Rooker and Weil and Gordon. What they really need is a really good starting pitcher (or 2 very good RPs).

[EddieMatthews]

The Twins have really gone downhill in 2018, evidenced by many comments that say their starting pitching is now their strength.  Of the 25 roster spots, we have three known starting pitchers and maybe 2-3 position players.  A year ago, all the positions had solid names after them and the questions were on the mound.  

 

Perhaps the biggest need for the Twins is in the front office.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

No one else may agree with this, but I would put Lewis at SS and leave him there.

[gunnarthor]

 

No one else may agree with this, but I would put Lewis at SS and leave him there.

He's not ready yet. No reason to burn away three years of control while his bat waits to catch up.

[BobAzar]

new medical staff? 

[nicksaviking]

Tangibly, I think they need to identify a reliable big RH bat. I'm not giving up on Sano or Buxton, but they need someone else they can be reasonably confident won't falter. And go crazy on free agent relievers, but unlike last year, get the high velocity variety this time.

 

Intangibly, they need new energy. This team never looked like a confident contender at any point of this season. They need to get someone or do something to kick-start the enthusiasm again. Not with the fans, just with the players. Winning is all you need to breed enthusiasm with the fans.

 

 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

They need talent. Only three guys -  Buxton, Sano and Rosario - have all-star or better ceilings right now and Buxton and Sano have big question marks. Kepler and Polanco can be serviceable starters in the MI and RF but they're just complementary pieces right now. After that, the Twins have some big holes.

 

C- Garver/Castro - ugh, but probably passable in today's MLB

1B - Sano

2B - ?

SS - Polanco

3B - ?

LF - Rosario

CF - Buxton 

RF - Kepler

DH - ?

 

If we're dreaming, Manny Machado is the perfect fit for us (and every other team). But realistically, the FO is going to have to fix the line-up substantially. I like Cave as a 4th OFer but I'd be ok if we moved Kepler and plugged him into RF until Kiriloff was up. But the Twins can't have a bunch of black holes in the lineup again. They need some professional hitters. I'm not sure what's out there though.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/12/2018-19-mlb-free-agents.html

I pretty much agree... except the part of penciling in Buxton there. I'm not sure I'm comfortable going north with Buxton at this point. Way too many seasons of not being able to hit. I'd like (if there is one) a 1 year make good deal from a CF with upside and plan on Buxton spending 2019 in the minors. 

 

I agree though on the rest of it. We need a DH, and as John mentioned, a middle of the order type. We need a 2B. I'm not ready to hand that to Gordon. One would hope we could bring Escobar in to fill that role till Gordon is ready and then move to a flex role at that point. 

 

As for pitching, yeah, I'm not too worried about that. Maybe an arm in the pen, but pitching wasn't our problem this year. 

[Riverbrian]

Position Flexibility and Depth are the biggest off-season needs. 

 

 

[Shaitan]

Medical staff, fundamentals coaches, and (I'll get torn apart for this one) veteran leadership.

 

After that, somebody capable of providing Ervin-or-better innings and another 25+ HR bat.

[TheLeviathan]

Go get Grienke.

 

I'd try and bring back Escobar and then here are just a few guys I'd target: McCutcheon (CF insurance, right handed OF, DH) or Leonys Martin, Escobar, Nelson Cruz, and any bullpen guy with a pulse.

[Tomj14]

 

Go get Grienke.

 

I'd try and bring back Escobar and then here are just a few guys I'd target: McCutcheon (CF insurance, right handed OF, DH) or Leonys Martin, Escobar, Nelson Cruz, and any bullpen guy with a pulse.

Love the Grienke Idea and some of the others. But the more I look into Escobar's (I love his flexibility) numbers is he really the guy the twins want to give starter money to?

 

[USAFChief]

They need to add talent (not just potential, but actual MLB talent), lots of it, and get Sano and Buxton to magically turn into the 1.000 OPS beasts we were hoping for.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Love the Grienke Idea and some of the others. But the more I look into Escobar's (I love his flexibility) numbers is he really the guy the twins want to give starter money to?

 

I guess it depends what he'll cost.  There certainly would be a point at which I walk away.

 

But 8-10M and I'm in.

[Doomtints]

The biggest need is a manager. If the front office is not good at player communication, the manager must bridge that gap. The manager must know how to fill in a lineup card. The manager must know how to read pitchers when they are on the mound. The manager must know how to utilize young pitchers (particularly in their first appearance) and young position players (let them play).

 

Molitor checks one box: The owners like him. That's it. Suck it up, executives, and find someone else.

 

The Twins will have Sano, Buxton and Polanco back. Pineda might be OK. Maybe they can get Santana for another year. I anticipate the market for Dozier will be zipadeedoodah so he might end up back, too. Escobar probably cashes in somewhere else -- good for him -- and he's a regression candidate anyway.

Even though 2018 didn't work out, the FO did a good job of picking at the players who were available. They didn't quite know when to stop (Morrison?) and hopefully learned to not sign a starting pitcher too late. Overall the advice is ... give it another try and pick up players who are available who look like upgrades ... but this time with a new manager. And learn how to communicate. Baseball is a team sport, executives can't treat themselves like members of a country club and expect to win games. It's either work hard and win or take it easy and hope for the best ... as they did with Buxton.

Edited September 19, 2018 by Doomtints

[Mike Sixel]

 

I guess it depends what he'll cost.  There certainly would be a point at which I walk away.

 

But 8-10M and I'm in.

 

? Isn't he signed for a couple more years? Not sure I understand....

[Mike Sixel]

 

The biggest need is a manager. If the front office is not good at player communication, the manager must bridge that gap. The manager must know how to fill in a lineup card. The manager must know how to read pitchers when they are on the mound. The manager must know how to utilize young pitchers (particularly in their first appearance) and young position players (let them play).

 

Molitor checks one box: The owners like him. That's it. Suck it up, executives, and find someone else.

 

The Twins will have Sano, Buxton and Polanco back. Pineda might be OK. Maybe they can get Santana for another year. I anticipate the market for Dozier will be zipadeedoodah so he might end up back, too. Escobar probably cashes in somewhere else -- good for him -- and he's a regression candidate anyway.

Even though 2018 didn't work out, the FO did a good job of picking at the players who were available. They didn't quite know when to stop (Morrison?) and hopefully learned to not sign a starting pitcher too late. Overall the advice is ... give it another try and pick up players who are available who look like upgrades ... but this time with a new manager. And learn how to communicate.

 

Why would you want Santana? Like, I have no idea why.....why would you want Dozier? Seriously, bringing back the same roster isn't good enough, not even a little. If they aren't going to add serious talent, just call up Rooker and Wade and Gordon......and start the process.

[Mike Sixel]

On Corbin....MLB.com is predicting around a 150MM or more contract....since he's younger than Darvish....

[TheLeviathan]

 

? Isn't he signed for a couple more years? Not sure I understand....

 

Sorry, i was referring to Escobar.

 

Grienke has 3 years and about 100M left. 

Edited September 19, 2018 by TheLeviathan

[Doomtints]

 

Why would you want Santana? Like, I have no idea why.....why would you want Dozier? Seriously, bringing back the same roster isn't good enough, not even a little. If they aren't going to add serious talent, just call up Rooker and Wade and Gordon......and start the process.

 

I haven't wanted Dozier since the 103 loss season where it was proven that his leadoff power was useless. But, alas, the market wasn't there. Nevertheless, I can see him coming back.

 

As for Santana, it depends on the price. I think it would be unlikely for him to suddenly be a 5.00+ ERA guy, and if he is just waive him and call it a day. Obviously the price has to be right for this to be worth trying. However, I would bet Santana goes to Detroit, Chicago, or back to KC, where they are all really desperate.

Edited September 19, 2018 by Doomtints

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

I guess it depends what he'll cost.  There certainly would be a point at which I walk away.

 

But 8-10M and I'm in.

 

Greinke is under contract, right? You'll have to eat some of his salary (don't care there), but you'll have to send someone(s) away. I'd be fine with that. We have too much pitching at the high levels, and they will have to go at some point, so if it meant sending over someone not named Thrope, Romero, or Graterol, I'd probably be good with it. 

 

On that note, I kind of wonder what the Realmuto sweepstakes will look like this offseason. I could see the Marlins dealing him since they seem to be deathly allergic to contracts. 

[TheLeviathan]

 

Greinke is under contract, right? You'll have to eat some of his salary (don't care there), but you'll have to send someone(s) away. I'd be fine with that. We have too much pitching at the high levels, and they will have to go at some point, so if it meant sending over someone not named Thrope, Romero, or Graterol, I'd probably be good with it. 

 

On that note, I kind of wonder what the Realmuto sweepstakes will look like this offseason. I could see the Marlins dealing him since they seem to be deathly allergic to contracts. 

 

Arizona may give up Grienke as a partial dump.  They simply can't afford Corbin/Pollack/Goldschmidt and to keep him.

 

You'll have to give up something, but if the Twins agree to take his whole contract the price might be pretty reasonable.  (I think it may even be cheap)

[Mike Sixel]

 

Sorry, i was referring to Escobar.

 

Grienke has 3 years and about 100M left. 

 

Heh, reading comprehension fail!

[lukeduke1980]

Biggest need is about 3 Eduardo Escobars in the lineup and a bullpen overhaul.  Turn half the walkoff losses into wins and we're sniffing .500.