Article: Longest Tenured Minnesota Twins - 2019

[Seth Stohs]

In the past year, some of the longest tenured players in the Twins organization have left. Joe Mauer retired. Brian Dozier was traded. Kennys Vargas is now playing in Japan, though that isn’t going real well. Those three players ranked one, two and three when this list came out a year ago. This list is always fun to compile. Some of the names are a little surprising because they haven’t spent a lot of time in the big leagues.

 

This is not a ranking of longest tenured on the big league roster. If that was the case, Kyle Gibson would be at the top of the list. No, this is about which player has been in the organization the longest.Here you have it, a look at the ten longest-tenured players in the Minnesota Twins organization but first, a few honorable mentions.

Honorable Mentions

• June 2013 - RHPs Kohl Stewart and Ryan Eades, LHP Stephen Gonsalves, Catchers Mitch Garver and Brian Navarreto
• December 2012 - RHP Williams Ramirez
• December 6, 2012 - RHP Trevor May (trade with Phillies)
• Sept 2012 - RHP Johan Quezada
• July 2012 - LHP Lewis Thorpe

The Top Ten Longest-Tenured Twins

 

* all photos by Seth Stohs, Twins Daily

 

#9/10 - The Twins signed their first picks from the 2012 draft and then focused their attention on some of the college pitchers that they signed including these two who have spent quite a bit of time in the big leagues. Tyler Duffey and Taylor Rogers both signed on June 17th, 2012.

 

Tyler Duffey was the Twins 5th round pick out of Rice University where he was the Owl’s co-closer with JT Chargois. Duffey came up in 2015 as a starter and was the team’s best pitcher down the stretch that year. He hasn’t been able to replicate that success and has since moved to the bullpen. He has shown flashes at times of what can be a solid reliever. He is currently back in Rochester.

 

Taylor Rogers, flatly, has become one of the best, most-reliable, most dominant relievers in baseball in the last year. The Twins 12th round pick out of Kentucky in 2012 rose through the ranks as a starting pitcher. In fact, he was the Twins Daily Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year in 2013. When he came to the big leagues, however, it was as a reliever. It was a bit of a learning curve. He was pretty solid in the first half of 2017 and kind of hit a wall in the 2nd half. In 2018, he took off.

 

 

#8 - The Twins lost Michael Cuddyer to free agency following the 2011 season. Because of that, they gained a supplemental draft pick after the first round. With the 32nd overall pick, the Twins selected a a right-handed pitcher from Puerto Rico named Jose Berrios. He signed on June 15th. Berrios pitched well in the minor leagues and was named the Twins Daily Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year in 2014and 2015. He made his debut in 2016 and posted an 8.02 ERA in 14 starts. He returned in 2017 and went 14-11 with a 3.89 ERA. In 2018, he went 12-11 with a 3.84 ERA. He went to his first All Star game. With his win on Tuesday night, Berrios is now 6-1 with a 2.53 ERA in 2019.

 

 

#7 - The Twins lost a lot of baseball games in 2011 to earn the second overall pick in the 2012 draft. The Astros selected shortstop Carlos Correa and the Twins selected Byron Buxton out of high school in Georgia. On June 13, 2012, he signed with the Twins. He played for the GCL Twins and Elizabethton Twins in 2012. He split the 2013 season between Cedar Rapids and Ft. Myers. He became the top prospect in baseball. He debuted with the Twins in 2015. In 2019, he is off to the best start of his career and currently leads MLB in doubles. In 2017, he received MVP votes, won his first Gold Glove and was also awarded the Platinum Glove as the best defensive player in the American League. Still just 25, his future is bright.

 

 

#6 - In November 2011, the Twins signed a thick-built right-hander from the Dominican Republic, Fernando Romero. He came to the States for the 2013 season. In 45 innings in the GCL, he posted a 1.60 ERA and struck out 47 batters. He was also throwing a fastball in the upper-90s. In mid-May of 2014, he moved up to Cedar Rapids. Unfortunately, after three starts, he was injured and needed Tommy John surgery. He missed the rest of that season and the entire 2015 season. While rehabbing, he also needed knee surgery. He returned in 2016 after two years, and he has dominated since. In 2017, he pitched in Double A. In 2018, he split time between Triple-A Rochester and the big leagues. This spring, he was moved to the bullpen. He’s had his ups and downs in the adjustment, but he is now in the big leagues trying to figure out all out.

 

#5 - June, 2010, Eddie Rosario was their fourth-round pick out of Guayana, Puerto Rico. In 2011, he was the Appalachian League MVP when he pounded 21 home runs (one more than Miguel Sano). He continued to rise through the system and played in the Arizona Fall league in 2013. Unfortunately, he had to miss the first 50 games of the 2014 season because of a “drug of abuse” suspension. Early in the 2015 season, he was called up to the Twins and had a strong rookie season. 2016 was more of a challenge, and he was sent down to the minor leagues for a month before returning. 2017 was Rosario’s breakout season. He hit .290 with 33 doubles and 27 home runs. He put up similar numbers in 2018. He hit .288 with 31 doubles and 24 homers, though that is due to missing much of the season’s final month.

 

#4 – On October 9, 2009, the Twins were playing (another) playoff series against the Yankees, but the big news of the day came off the field. The Twins had signed the #1 ranked international free agent, Miguel Sano, to a $3.15 million signing bonus. Since then, he has been one of the top power hitting prospects in baseball. He looked ready to debut with the Twins in 2014. Unfortunately, he needed Tommy John surgery and missed the entire season. He returned to action in 2015. He struggled for the first month of the season but started hitting soon after. He made his MLB debut in July and played so well he was named the Twins MVP and Rookie of the Year. He finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting. He mostly DHd as a rookie, and in 2016 he was moved out to the outfield (which didn’t go well) and he struggled with the bat too. He moved back to third base in 2017 and played the position adequately. He made his first All-Star Game and that year and finished second to Aaron Judge in the Home Run Derby. He was hurt and missed the final two months of the year. He had a titanium rod placed in his leg. 2018 was a forgettable season for Sano, and he came to spring training this year with a contusion on his leg that has cost him the start of his season. He is currently in AA working his way back and should return to the Twins lineup in the next 10-14 days.

 

#3 – Within the final hour of the the final day that teams could sign their 2009 draft picks (August 15), the Twins and pitcher Kyle Gibson reached an agreement. He began his professional career with the Miracle in 2010 and got to AAA that season. He returned to Rochester but by midseason, he wasn’t pitching like himself. He had an elbow problem and months later, he had Tommy John surgery. He missed the entire 2012 season. He returned in 2013 and had a ten-start call up with the Twins. He has been in the Twins starting rotation the last three years. In 2015, he was named the Twins pitcher of the year. 2016 was injury-plagued for Gibson. Midway through the 2017 season, Gibson found himself in Rochester for a couple of stints. However, something clicked and Gibson was strong over his final dozen starts. That carried into 2018 when he had his best, most consistent, productive season yet. He went 10-13 despite a 3.63 ERA over 196 1/3 innings. A bout with E. Coli slowed his 2019 season, but he is getting close to 100% now.

 

#2 – On July 11th, 2009, the Twins signed highly regarded German outfielder Max Kepler. Though Kepler was always blessed with great tools, it wasn’t until 2015 that everything came together for him. He has worked slowly up the system. He repeated Elizabethton and has moved up one level each year since. He was named the Southern League MVP and led the Chattanooga Lookouts to the league title. While his team was celebrating, Kepler learned that he was heading to the big leagues. On the season’s final day, he got his first MLB hit off of Johnny Cueto. He put up very similar numbers in 2016 through 2018. Last year, he hit .224 with 30 doubles and 20 homers. He signed a five-year contract extension for $35 million in the offseason. In 2019, he has been leading off. While his batting average has come down of late, he has increased his power production with seven home runs already.

 

#1 – On July 2, 2009, the Twins signed highly-regarded defensive shortstop Jorge Polanco from the Dominican Republic. He was brought along slowly, spending two seasons in the GCL. He started hitting in 2012 in Elizabethton. He has been a good batting average and on-base hitter since. It’s on defense now where there are question marks. He received a couple of cups of coffee with the Twins in 2014 becoming the youngest player to debut with the Twins since Joe Mauer in 2004. Polanco played in Chattanooga and Rochester in 2015 with a couple more very short stints in the big leagues. He moved up and down between AAA and the big leagues in 2016 until the July trade of Eduardo Nunez when he came up and played shortstop most days the rest of that season. He struggled through the first four months of the 2017 season, but he was arguably the team’s best hitter over the final two months of the year. He missed the first 80 games of the 2018 season on a PED suspension but came back strong in the second half. He signed a five-year, $25 million contract extension. In 2019, he has been one of the best hitters in baseball.

 

So there you have it, the players in the Twins organization who have been in the system the longest, consecutively. I’ll guess that at least a couple of the names may not surprise you. I’m certain that you wouldn’t have guessed everyone on this list.

 

Feel free to leave your thoughts, or let me know if I forgot anyone.

 

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[Aerodeliria]

I'm glad to see, that for the most part, the tenured players are with the big club.

[Penthang]

While I guess it makes sense that the top 10 guys have all made appearances on the major league roster this season I am hoping some of the honorable mentions make a case for gaining the next open spot soon. While I have no complaints about the overall performance of the the team there are still a couple of fringey guys on the pitching staff that either need to improve or be upgraded to make me comfortable that they can maintain there lead on Cleveland and do this against the Yankees…or whoever, in the playoffs. With as strong as Pérez and Odorizzi have been Pineda has some leash to work back into the pitcher the front office was hoping to get. He has shown flashes and I’m hoping that Jim Katt was right and he just needs to pitch himself into shape. Most of the close to arriving guys are starters and that may not be where the Twins need help most but it’s hard to imagine that they won’t need some starts during the season from those guys. Didn’t they set a club record last year for the number of pitchers to start games?

 

Anyway, nice read. Thanks

[Einheri]

Sorry to hear that Kennys Vargas hasn't been able to make it work well in Japan either.

[Devereaux]

Rosario's "drug of abuse" is now legal for medicinal use in Minnesota (and Arizona, where he was tested) and for recreational purposes in 10 states.  

[mikelink45]

Nice article.  It made me think about age.  Nelson Cruz is out elder statesman born 7/1/80.  Then I was surprised that Blake Parker was the second oldest 6/19/85.  The rest of the 1980s players are Jason Castro 6/18/87, Kyle Gibson 10/23/87, Michael Pineda 1/18/89, Marwin Gonzales 3/14/89, Ryne Harper 3/27/89, Ehire Adrianza 8/21/89, Trevor May 9/23/89, Matt Magill 10/11/89.  

 

Putting this together surprised me - I did not know much about Parker, and I thought Pineda would be older than Gibson.  The pitcher who is much older than I expected is Trevor May - he was a prospect for so long the years snuck up on me.  Maybe the most difficult thing for an old fan is to see how we are soon going to be without players born in the 80s!

[Doomtints]

They don't test for drugs like that once one makes the majors.

[Jham]

Does anyone else see a total imbalance in roster management? Like this team is about to get really really expensive... or we're going to lose some really key pieces for nothing...

Edited May 8, 2019 by Jham

[cardsfan]

A few unlucky injuries like the Tommy John surgery for position player and an achilles tendon cut thst didn't heal well, but, the window is opening. Will you have replacements is a good question.

[bboger]

Trevor May was acquired following the 2012 season; that might be worth an honorable mention!

[BK432]

 

Does anyone else see a total imbalance in roster management? Like this team is about to get really really expensive... or we're going to lose some really key pieces for nothing...

 

Not really. In fact, I see the opposite. I see plenty of foresight into how the Twins built this roster in the last couple of years. No long term deals, saving room for 2020 and beyond. Now that they have inked Kepler and Polanco to long term extensions, they still have less than $20M guaranteed for next year and less beyond that. If Buxton, Sano, Berrios, Rosario and more continue to produce and want to sign, the Twins will have plenty of $$ to do that.

[Jham]

Not really. In fact, I see the opposite. I see plenty of foresight into how the Twins built this roster in the last couple of years. No long term deals, saving room for 2020 and beyond. Now that they have inked Kepler and Polanco to long term extensions, they still have less than $20M guaranteed for next year and less beyond that. If Buxton, Sano, Berrios, Rosario and more continue to produce and want to sign, the Twins will have plenty of $$ to do that.

Seriously? The available money is part of the problem, imo. It's a sign that we didn't have a plan and simply wanted flexibility. Apparently we didn't think this was our year. But if not, when?

 

The guys you listed and I'd throw Hildy and Rogers in, are mostly arb eligible and up for raises or extensions. As you've said we'd have little money actually committed EXCEPT we will have to replace or extend Schoop, Gibby, Odo, Perez, and Cron. All of which are in line for significant bumps so far this year. Pineda is still a ?.

 

Cruz comes back likely for $2mil less.

 

This leaves mostly just Castro as salary relief (and maybe Hughes?) coming off the books. Our owners are famous for not negotiating contracts midseason.

 

I don't think Castro and Hughes are enough to pay even for the arbitration raises we'll owe, let alone the raises needed to retain our pending FA or extend young stars.

 

After having to replace or extend 4/5 of our starting rotation, how do you suggest we field even an equal team next season (let alone future seasons) given our inherent salary reqs?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Sorry to hear that Kennys Vargas hasn't been able to make it work well in Japan either.

 

Yeah, I was surprised to hear he was sent down to Chiba Lotte's minor league team on Monday. 

[jmlease1]

 

Seriously? The available money is part of the problem, imo. It's a sign that we didn't have a plan and simply wanted flexibility. Apparently we didn't think this was our year. But if not, when?

The guys you listed and I'd throw Hildy and Rogers in, are mostly arb eligible and up for raises or extensions. As you've said we'd have little money actually committed EXCEPT we will have to replace or extend Schoop, Gibby, Odo, Perez, and Cron. All of which are in line for significant bumps so far this year. Pineda is still a ?.

Cruz comes back likely for $2mil less.

This leaves mostly just Castro as salary relief (and maybe Hughes?) coming off the books. Our owners are famous for not negotiating contracts midseason.

I don't think Castro and Hughes are enough to pay even for the arbitration raises we'll owe, let alone the raises needed to retain our pending FA or extend young stars.

After having to replace or extend 4/5 of our starting rotation, how do you suggest we field even an equal team next season (let alone future seasons) given our inherent salary reqs?

 

well, if Kirilloff hits in AA like he did in A-ball, he may be in line to replace Cron on a minimum salary. If Nick Gordon proves he can hit in AAA (after a lost year), maybe he's the replacement for Schoop, also on a league minimum salary. We also have an option on Perez for next year, so we may not need quite as many starting pitchers as you think. Polanco is locked in on a value contract, Kepler's extension looks reasonable...are we really panicked that we're going into the first year of arbitration on Berrios or Buxton or Sano?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Rosario's "drug of abuse" is now legal for medicinal use in Minnesota (and Arizona, where he was tested) and for recreational purposes in 10 states.  

 

Maybe... 

[rdehring]

 

Rosario's "drug of abuse" is now legal for medicinal use in Minnesota (and Arizona, where he was tested) and for recreational purposes in 10 states.  

Got a question about that.  If tested with a positive result from marijuana, wouldn't a player still be suspended even if it occurred in a state like Colorado, in which it is now legal?

[lunemann]

 

Seriously? The available money is part of the problem, imo. It's a sign that we didn't have a plan and simply wanted flexibility. Apparently we didn't think this was our year. But if not, when?

The guys you listed and I'd throw Hildy and Rogers in, are mostly arb eligible and up for raises or extensions. As you've said we'd have little money actually committed EXCEPT we will have to replace or extend Schoop, Gibby, Odo, Perez, and Cron. All of which are in line for significant bumps so far this year. Pineda is still a ?.

 

The team's opening day payroll is like $24m less than what they spent in 2018. I think they can certainly afford to eat a few arb raises and not blow up the team.

 

Also, I believe Perez has a team option for 2020 and Cron has one more year of arb left after this year. We also have Addison Reed's $8.5m coming off the books after this year. 

[nicksaviking]

 

Seriously? The available money is part of the problem, imo. It's a sign that we didn't have a plan and simply wanted flexibility. Apparently we didn't think this was our year. But if not, when?

The guys you listed and I'd throw Hildy and Rogers in, are mostly arb eligible and up for raises or extensions. As you've said we'd have little money actually committed EXCEPT we will have to replace or extend Schoop, Gibby, Odo, Perez, and Cron. All of which are in line for significant bumps so far this year. Pineda is still a ?.

Cruz comes back likely for $2mil less.

This leaves mostly just Castro as salary relief (and maybe Hughes?) coming off the books. Our owners are famous for not negotiating contracts midseason.

I don't think Castro and Hughes are enough to pay even for the arbitration raises we'll owe, let alone the raises needed to retain our pending FA or extend young stars.

After having to replace or extend 4/5 of our starting rotation, how do you suggest we field even an equal team next season (let alone future seasons) given our inherent salary reqs?

 

So the solution is to not get too many good international players and draft picks in the same years? They should just get one or two they like and then a bunch of chumps so they don't have to pay them 8 years down the road?

[Devereaux]

 

Maybe... 

Are you inferring Rosario lied to the Star Tribune? http://www.startribune.com/twins-prospect-rosario-has-nothing-to-do-but-wait/257268071/

[Jham]

So the solution is to not get too many good international players and draft picks in the same years? They should just get one or two they like and then a bunch of chumps so they don't have to pay them 8 years down the road?

Hmmm... I don't remember writing that...

 

My point is that the idea of developing talent in waves and windows is in apposite to the stated goal of sustained success. The team has chosen roster and payroll flexibility over conviction and planning. This looks to me like a 1 year window right now unless payroll is going to be expanded significantly. you leave a lot of work and question marks having so much turnover year to year. Mostly I feel like we should really want to take a step forward next year. It seems more likely we step back. Particularly in the rotation. We also didn't commit to this year. So what is the plan?

Edited May 8, 2019 by Jham

[Seth Stohs]

 

Got a question about that.  If tested with a positive result from marijuana, wouldn't a player still be suspended even if it occurred in a state like Colorado, in which it is now legal?

 

For minor leaguers, yes, they can be tested and if they fail for a drug of abuse in any state, they will be suspended (on their second offense)

[Seth Stohs]

 

Are you inferring Rosario lied to the Star Tribune? http://www.startribune.com/twins-prospect-rosario-has-nothing-to-do-but-wait/257268071/

 

I don't see him Rosario saying anything about what he tested positive for in that article.

[yarnivek1972]

Of the top 10, there are only two that MIGHT not return in 2020 (Duffey and Gibson).

[Seth Stohs]

 

Hmmm... I don't remember writing that...

My point is that the idea of developing talent in waves and windows is in apposite to the stated goal of sustained success. The team has chosen roster and payroll flexibility over conviction and planning. This looks to me like a 1 year window right now unless payroll is going to be expanded significantly. you leave a lot of work and question marks having so much turnover year to year. Mostly I feel like we should really want to take a step forward next year. It seems more likely we step back. Particularly in the rotation. We also didn't commit to this year. So what is the plan?

 

Sounds to me like a plan.

 

1.) Roster flexibility, nothing too long term for free agents, but try to get options in case things go well. 

2.) Waves of talent... Player Development, spending, innovation, added coaches/coordinators, individualized plans.

3.) Try to lock in a young core at a price you're comfortable with. (if not, don't be afraid to go year to year). 

4.) Pay players for what they are projected to do, not for what they have done in the past. 

5.) People matter. While the stats/analytics matter and are a big part of it, so are the people, the communication, the collaboration.

 

I mean, I could go on and on, but it's very clear that there is a plan, which, of course, if Derek Falvey's job... to have the big picture of the organization set to be good and competitive for a long time, and they're getting there. 

 

 

[Mr. Brooks]

The team's opening day payroll is like $24m less than what they spent in 2018. I think they can certainly afford to eat a few arb raises and not blow up the team.

 

Also, I believe Perez has a team option for 2020 and Cron has one more year of arb left after this year. We also have Addison Reed's $8.5m coming off the books after this year.

They are only $9 million below last year, apples to apples.

The $24 million you are citing are two different numbers, 25 man versus 40 man payrolls.

[Devereaux]

 

I don't see him Rosario saying anything about what he tested positive for in that article.

Very conspiratorial. Which of the drugs of abuse do you think it was then? Was he mixing weed and PCP? What's the rumor? http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/pdf/prohibited-substances.pdf

[jmlease1]

 

My point is that the idea of developing talent in waves and windows is in apposite to the stated goal of sustained success. The team has chosen roster and payroll flexibility over conviction and planning. This looks to me like a 1 year window right now unless payroll is going to be expanded significantly. you leave a lot of work and question marks having so much turnover year to year. Mostly I feel like we should really want to take a step forward next year. It seems more likely we step back. Particularly in the rotation. We also didn't commit to this year. So what is the plan?

 

It depends on how you look at the window, I guess. You seem to have no expectation for any players in the minors to be contributors or even stars for the future of this ballclub, and I think Falvine would argue that consistent replacement of contributors through the minors is a critical component to sustained success. the only possible way to open a 10-year window is if you hit on players in multiple draft classes along the way, not just ride a wave of a core of young players all coming together at age 25.

 

That seems to be the plan that they're working under and they developed the MLB roster over the last two years in an attempt to be competitive with the flexibility to seize the moment if/when things come together for a particular team without mortgaging the future and ability to sign their young players if/when they've earned or project to earn star money.

 

Last year it crapped out on them for a few reasons: 1. the team wasn't as good as the record from the previous year might have suggested, 2. they had some key injuries (and a suspension) that coincided with some young players not advancing, and 3. the short-term free agent signings ended up not working for various reasons (none of which were the same ones, btw: Reed started out well before injury and possible overuse sent him into a collapse, Lynn's early season was wrecked by missing spring training, and Morrison turned out to be washed up and no longer able to hit serious fastballs).

 

This year we saw an adjustment in strategy for FA's, I think. Schoop is a guy coming off injury with something to prove (different than Morrison), Perez is a guy who we signed with a development plan (different than Lynn, who just didn't get a contract he thought he was worth), Cruz is a savvy veteran with a lengthy track record of success. Cron is more similar to last year's flier on Morrison, but has value in the field not just a hope that his change in approach is sustainable.

 

Sure looks like a plan to me.

 

For the rotation the next few years, the Twins are counting on someone emerging from their farm system. I don't think that's crazy. They've given themselves the flexibility to re-sign Gibson, unless someone throws 5/$100M at him. Berrios is still under team control and we can handle the arbitration raises. We have an option on Perez, who is looking good. So now maybe you're looking at 1 FA and 1 guy stepping up from the Stewart/Gonsalves/Thorpe trio for next year to have a good rotation again, and re-signing Odorizzi is certainly an option for the FA.

[BK432]

 

Hmmm... I don't remember writing that...

My point is that the idea of developing talent in waves and windows is in apposite to the stated goal of sustained success. The team has chosen roster and payroll flexibility over conviction and planning. This looks to me like a 1 year window right now unless payroll is going to be expanded significantly. you leave a lot of work and question marks having so much turnover year to year. Mostly I feel like we should really want to take a step forward next year. It seems more likely we step back. Particularly in the rotation. We also didn't commit to this year. So what is the plan?

 

It just seems like we're looking at the same picture, but seeing two drastically different things. They have plenty of money to continue to develop guys, pay arbitration salaries and extend where it makes sense. They also have plenty of money to supplement through FA. They've done, in my opinion, an extremely good job setting up that payroll flexibility (at times too good, perhaps) and planned well for 2020 and beyond with conviction.

 

You asked for a plan - I'm not sure entirely what you're looking for, but I'll try my best. They'll probably let Pineda, Castro and Reed walk which is $25 million in savings. Hughes comes off the books at $6M. Schoop probably walks too, but they might re-sign him. Let's count him in at the same salary, $7.5M.  Let's say they sign Odorizzi or similar at $15M. Let's say they sign Gibson or similar at $10M.

 

Arbitration raises for Sano, Parker, Buxton, Rogers, Adrianza, May, Berrios. They may decide to let Parker and Adrianza go (or even May) but let's say they keep them all. $28M ($4M/player) seems like more than is needed but let's go with that number. Mejia is Super 2 so that might be another $500K if they keep him.

 

All that is only a $5M-$6M increase over this year. THAT'S IT.

 

And yes, as young guys develop and perform well, they'll get expensive. That is true. That's why a development machine in the minors is so important. The new regime has seemed to invest in that machine so that we continue to develop the prospects we have. It all seems very planful, at least to me.

[Jham]

It just seems like we're looking at the same picture, but seeing two drastically different things. They have plenty of money to continue to develop guys, pay arbitration salaries and extend where it makes sense. They also have plenty of money to supplement through FA. They've done, in my opinion, an extremely good job setting up that payroll flexibility (at times too good, perhaps) and planned well for 2020 and beyond with conviction.

 

You asked for a plan - I'm not sure entirely what you're looking for, but I'll try my best. They'll probably let Pineda, Castro and Reed walk which is $25 million in savings. Hughes comes off the books at $6M. Schoop probably walks too, but they might re-sign him. Let's count him in at the same salary, $7.5M. Let's say they sign Odorizzi or similar at $15M. Let's say they sign Gibson or similar at $10M.

 

Arbitration raises for Sano, Parker, Buxton, Rogers, Adrianza, May, Berrios. They may decide to let Parker and Adrianza go (or even May) but let's say they keep them all. $28M ($4M/player) seems like more than is needed but let's go with that number. Mejia is Super 2 so that might be another $500K if they keep him.

 

All that is only a $5M-$6M increase over this year. THAT'S IT.

 

And yes, as young guys develop and perform well, they'll get expensive. That is true. That's why a development machine in the minors is so important. The new regime has seemed to invest in that machine so that we continue to develop the prospects we have. It all seems very planful, at least to me.

Yeah I mean Schoop is playing himself into a nice deal i'd think a raise. Gibby is more likely to get a QO than Odo, imo. I like Crons D, but I'd think a combo of Sano, ak, rooker, and Garver might suffice. Perez is another $4mil. I just don't think we can count on Odo or same or Gibby or same. Historically, we low ball, refuse to over pay, and settle for worse. This year it worked. Last year we totally wasted. I guess some people are stressed by commitment and structure, others by uncertainty and risk. Trying to strike gold with 1 year deals seems untennable. But maybe that's the strategy. I'd ever that were to work, this FA market is probably it.

[BK432]

I don't disagree with the notion that as we have our core in place that we should pivot at least a little to longer term deals. I do think it was smart to stick to shorter commitment until you know what you have.