Article: Rundown: Sonny, LeMahieu, Non-Tenders and More

[ChrisKnutson]

Why give up anything for Gray when we have Romero/Mejia/Thorpe/Stewart??? Now if we’re talking Eovaldi, I’d be all in, but this is a guy who struggled immensely on the big stage to the point of being demoted to the bullpen and yet is still likely to command an unfair return (cmon it’s the Yankees, what do ya expect); hard pass. And enough with the Machado talk, it ain’t happening.

 

Now while I’m encouraged to see that we’ve shown interest in LeMahieu (a quality player), I really doubt we’re gonna come on top in that market given that we’re competing with the Nats and the Dodgers, along with the fact that the FO pretty much said they weren’t going be big FA players this year. And given the state of the Twins at the moment, I’m not sure why we’re even interested in LeMahieu, other than the fact that he’s a 2nd basemen, because Jed Lowrie just seems like a way better fit. Think about it, we wouldn’t have to commit as much $$$ or years to Lowrie, and in return we’d get the same, if not better production from him compared to if we signed LeMahieu. Now all we have to do is convince Lowrie that MN is the best state to live in, oh wait.

[USAFChief]

Tom, I really enjoy this column. Thank you.

Concur.

[Vanimal46]

I think you are right in general. However, Machado and Harper are special cases. They've hit the market at a young age and should have a great 5 years or so of production. Then you have to deal with the backend of the contract and that's not great. But the goal should be to win a World Series in those 5 years. And that would make it all worth it.

 

The Twins aren't going to sign one, unfortunately. But I think they should. They have the money.

Love your post. When it comes to Harper and Machado's contracts, I think they're going to include multiple out-years throughout the duration of the contract. My guess is the first player opt-out is 2-3 years into the contract. Perhaps at the end of the 2021 season when the CBA expires... The second opt-out 5-6 years into the contract.

 

So there's a chance the team signing him now has to pay the final years if they opt out!

[Wizard11]

Tom, this column is fun and it’s style encourages interesting and civil discourse. Much appreciated.

[terrydactyls]

My opinion is that Machado would never agree to move to Minnesota no matter how much money is offered. But if the Twins were to make an offer to Machado that exceeded all others by such a wide margin that Machado becomes a Twin, then what? They would still have holes at 3B/1B, OF, C, and both relief pitching and starters and no money left to fill them. But they would have a fancy new toy at shortstop. The Twins need to fill lots of holes, not one. Forget Machado.

[Mike Sixel]

 

My opinion is that Machado would never agree to move to Minnesota no matter how much money is offered. But if the Twins were to make an offer to Machado that exceeded all others by such a wide margin that Machado becomes a Twin, then what? They would still have holes at 3B/1B, OF, C, and both relief pitching and starters and no money left to fill them. But they would have a fancy new toy at shortstop. The Twins need to fill lots of holes, not one. Forget Machado.

 

Well, he's going to be great for years....not just 1-2. I don't understand this argument at all. And, they'd have money to spend still. Just not a ton.

 

That said, he's not coming here, because they'd never offer him what other teams will. Which is certainly defendable.

[terrydactyls]

Well, he's going to be great for years....not just 1-2. I don't understand this argument at all. And, they'd have money to spend still. Just not a ton.

 

That said, he's not coming here, because they'd never offer him what other teams will. Which is certainly defendable.

I never said he wouldn't be great for years and I didn't mention any number of years so I don't understand your counterargument at all. And how much money would they have left if $35M a year was allocated to a single person? And would $3M even be enough to get him to Minnesota? I doubt it.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I never said he wouldn't be great for years and I didn't mention any number of years so I don't understand your counterargument at all. And how much money would they have left if $35M a year was allocated to a single person? And would $3M even be enough to get him to Minnesota? I doubt it.

 

Your argument seemed to be they'd still have holes, this year.....which is true. If he's great for years to come, they should be able to fill those holes. If not, then it doesn't matter if they sign him or not, if they still have that many holes 2-3 years from now, this team will be bad. So maybe I didn't read your post correctly.

 

They can afford as many players as they want, it depends on how much profit they want to make. Atlanta made 100 million last year, with a similar payroll and tv deal......so there is money to be spent if they want to. Would it be a massive percent paid to one player? Yes. Does that mean they can't find ways to make it work? Imo, no. But, I understand the counter argument, especially based on what they are likely to do, vs what they could do.

[neboo]

I'm going to go against the popular opinion here. I am in favor of signing LeMahieu.

 

He has always been a better home hitter (show me what Rockies player hasn't), but he hasn't been awful away from Coors, except for an outlier season or two. Last year his average away from Coors was down, but his power was up. Is he changing things, buying into the power/launch angle rhetoric? The park factor drop off from Coors to Target field isn't as drastic as other places, especially when it comes to 2B, which is his greatest power threat. At the end of the day, he could be a nice top of the order addition, batting somewhere .290/.340/.410  and playing gold glove defense at 30 years old. 2B is flooded, maybe that will bring his price down? I'd love to see a breakdown vs. other available 2b, including Jorge Polanco if he moved over.

[Mr. Brooks]

I'm going to go against the popular opinion here. I am in favor of signing LeMahieu.

 

He has always been a better home hitter (show me what Rockies player hasn't), but he hasn't been awful away from Coors, except for an outlier season or two. Last year his average away from Coors was down, but his power was up. Is he changing things, buying into the power/launch angle rhetoric? The park factor drop off from Coors to Target field isn't as drastic as other places, especially when it comes to 2B, which is his greatest power threat. At the end of the day, he could be a nice top of the order addition, batting somewhere .290/.340/.410 and playing gold glove defense at 30 years old. 2B is flooded, maybe that will bring his price down? I'd love to see a breakdown vs. other available 2b, including Jorge Polanco if he moved over.

He HAS been awful away from Coors.

.673 lifetime OPS away from Coors, that's unacceptable from anyone but a catcher.