I guess the Twins are trying damage control after upsetting their fan-base

 

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/12/twins-interested-in-nelson-cruz-wilson-ramos-joakim-soria-trevor-cahill.html

Edited December 10, 20187 yr by Brandon

I'm not sure how I feel about Cruz. That seems like an all in move, but nothing else does, so I don't know I get it. It also signals the end of the Austin era, and raises questions about Rooker, who is already 25 and would appear not to have much future if you have Cron and Cruz (remember all the excitement they raised at their amazing finagling of money to get Rooker and Enlow?).

Bet the Twins are talking about 20-30 players, both free agents and in trades.  Due diligence.  That's what all teams do this time of the season.  It does not mean that they will sign (or trade for) anyone in particular.

 

Got about 2 full months before pitchers and catchers report.   Too much time to get "upset"...

Or maybe, believe it or not, they actually have a plan and they're going to spend some of that $$$! 

 

Soria makes a lot of sense, I can see that one happening.

A closer - plenty of supply and plenty of dough.

 

I'm not sure how I feel about Cruz. That seems like an all in move, but nothing else does, so I don't know I get it. It also signals the end of the Austin era, and raises questions about Rooker, who is already 25 and would appear not to have much future if you have Cron and Cruz (remember all the excitement they raised at their amazing finagling of money to get Rooker and Enlow?).

All would likely be multi-year deals (if by multi-year you mean more than 1 and not several). Perhaps none will happen. I imagine deals for Cruz and Ramos are mutually exclusive.

 

I wonder if Cron didn't signal the end of the Austin era. If Rooker is incipient, he can take over for Cron in 2020. IIRC Rooker signed for slot value. Most often these guys don't work out.

 

I like Soria but I think this means they aren't aiming higher. That may or may not be smart. I would aim higher (Ottavino, Robertson, Familia).

 

I like Cahill but I don't think the Twins are a good fit because of their suboptimal infield defense.

 

Edited December 11, 20187 yr by Lonestar

 

Soria makes a lot of sense, I can see that one happening.

 

Agreed. Except that I've felt that way every off season for the past 5 years when he's been a FA and it's never happened yet.

I believe the bar for being in contact with these players was a passing "Hi!" to their agent.

 

Otherwise, I found this Onion article amusing.

 

Bet the Twins are talking about 20-30 players, both free agents and in trades.  Due diligence.  That's what all teams do this time of the season.  It does not mean that they will sign (or trade for) anyone in particular.

 

Got about 2 full months before pitchers and catchers report.   Too much time to get "upset"...

Say it is not so. The front office can multi task> Amazing

I guess the Twins are trying damage control after upsetting their fan-base

 

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/12/twins-interested-in-nelson-cruz-wilson-ramos-joakim-soria-trevor-cahill.html

so Falvey “leaks” wild ideas to LEN3 to test how TDers react? Holy crap, that’s funny

 

 

 

and no I’m not Falvey

so Falvey “leaks” wild ideas to LEN3 to test how TDers react? Holy crap, that’s funny

 

 

 

and no I’m not Falvey

If teams don't care what fans think, why would they leak anything, or talk to the media at all?

Sports teams aren't in the business of winning games. That, by itself has zero monetary value whatsoever. They are in the entertainment industry.

Ladies and gentlemen. Boys and girls of all ages. Welcome to the Greatest Show on Earth.

 

I believe the bar for being in contact with these players was a passing "Hi!" to their agent.

 

Otherwise, I found this Onion article amusing.

 

do you have a link to the onion article?

 

 

I'm not sure how I feel about Cruz. That seems like an all in move, but nothing else does, so I don't know I get it. It also signals the end of the Austin era, and raises questions about Rooker, who is already 25 and would appear not to have much future if you have Cron and Cruz (remember all the excitement they raised at their amazing finagling of money to get Rooker and Enlow?).

Rooker just turned 24 and will be 24 all of next season.

 

Cruz is a great fit for the Twins. He fills an absolute need - middle of the lineup bat - and he can show guys like Sano how to last in the league for this long.

All of them. Do it.

 

do you have a link to the onion article?

 

I was sarcastically referring to this report,

Third and short seems to be kryptonite to this team this year.

If teams don't care what fans think, why would they leak anything, or talk to the media at all?

Sports teams aren't in the business of winning games. That, by itself has zero monetary value whatsoever. They are in the entertainment industry.

True, but this is a slippery slope. Twitter polls and Strib comments and TD threads are self selection bias.

 

There are many reasons to speak to the press including speaking to other GMs and player reps, and fans.

 

Third and short seems to be kryptonite to this team this year.

 

Heh.......is this about the Vikings, or the Twins infield?

 

Rooker just turned 24 and will be 24 all of next season.

 

Cruz is a great fit for the Twins. He fills an absolute need - middle of the lineup bat - and he can show guys like Sano how to last in the league for this long.

 

My bad, I thought he was going to be 25 next year. Still doesn't say much about their faith in him, imo, to sign a DH and 1B/DH, after trading for a 1B/DH last year. 

My bad, I thought he was going to be 25 next year. Still doesn't say much about their faith in him, imo, to sign a DH and 1B/DH, after trading for a 1B/DH last year.

I'm not sure why they would. Unless he drastically turns around his k and bb rates, his CEILING is Tyler Austin.

I'm not sure why they would. Unless he drastically turns around his k and bb rates, his CEILING is Tyler Austin.

Not sure I agree. Rooker doesn’t appear to have a platoon split weakness, for starters.

Not sure I agree. Rooker doesn’t appear to have a platoon split weakness, for starters.

I didn't mean every part of their profile is an exact match, just that fringe MLB DH/1B is likely the best you can hope for from Rooker until he makes very significant gains with his k and bb rates.

Let Rooker get a long stretch in AAA and a chance to learn to manage the strike zone. They have called up enough guys before they have had a significant stretch in AAA only to yo yo them back and forth which hasn’t proved helpful.

I'd rather have McCutchen or Brantley as a positional player on a 2-3yr deal for what they report Cruz will receive. McCutchen and Brantley are still legitimate position players who deepen the OF/1B/DH options and even allow for various trade possibilities. Though it would mean trading, dumping Austin, or trying to sneak him through to Rochester.

 

I don't doubt Cruz could help though. Personally, I think he will sign for less than some reports. Again, we get back to the Austin portion of things. (Hate to give him up as I see some potential there). If you really think about it, regardless of numbers, Cruz would almost be a 1yr deal. You are banking on 2018 and his career. In 2020, you are not only banking/hoping for talent on hand, but are banking on Rooker/Khirilloff and others. At that point, he is really one a 1yr deal.

 

Perspective.

I don't think Austin should have any input on improving the DH position. Cruz is a great hitter. He'd be our best pure power hitter since Thome. And he might even be better in TF than in Safeco. His OPS was .100 points higher on the road last year and TF is great for RH power. Add in the character points and the obvious need for another big bat and it's a no-brainer.

I'm for signing Cruz, cause if we can't get on base we need a lot of solo HR to score.

 

Not sure on Cahill though I don't think it's the worst idea either.

 

If Garver or Castro can't catch then we should go after Ramos

 

And Soria works for me. Should we go after a second reliever too or go with a failed starter?

Well now 3 of the 4 have signed elsewhere. Will we get Cruz or are the Twins done for the offseason?

 

Well now 3 of the 4 have signed elsewhere. Will we get Cruz or are the Twins done for the offseason?

At this point I don't think Cruz is going to sign here. Methinks they're going to sign a couple relievers and call it an offseason.

Man, I would have gone higher in terms of $ for both Cahill and Soria. A bit disappointed we did not and a little concerned we are not at all aiming for upside arms.