Does a 60 Game Season Actually Help the Twins for 2021 and Beyond?

[DocBauer]

Let me be clear, I don't want a 60 game season. I want 82 games and normal playoffs for something approaching a "normal" season. Unfortunately, barring both sides of this stalemate pulling their heads out, this appears to be what 2020 is going to give us for baseball. I am also greatly lamenting a lost milb season as I greatly enjoy watching the growth and development within the system, and watching and projecting the future of Twins baseball.

 

For a moment, I want to forget what we don't have, or are missing out on, and I want to dismiss the potential disappointment and fandom horror of what 2022 could be and concentrate on the now, and 2021.

 

Am I crazy? Am I too forward thinking when 2020 hasn't even happened yet? Perhaps. But we ALWAYS discuss the future along with the present don't we? So follow me for a moment here.

 

What stinks: (Beyond a shortened season)

 

1] We lose half a season of the great but still aging Cruz and over half of the first season of Donaldson.

 

2] We get less than half a season of what could be Rosario's final season in a Twins uniform.

 

3] As pointed out in a front page OP, we lose out, potentially, on the age 27 seasons of Kepler, Sano and Polanco when they should be at their prime.

 

4] We lose out on the development of milb players in one of the best systems in MLB.

 

The positives:

 

1] Father time will eventually catch up to Cruz and then Donaldson, who is obviously younger. But does an abbreviated season set each up for a little extended health and productivity? Does Cruz now get a relief from Father Time for a 2021 season to shine in the sun as a great player for another year? Does Donaldson have better legs to stick at 3B for one more season on his 4yr deal?

 

2] League wide, finances are going to change for everyone involved for at least a season or two even IF both sides miraculously come together to prevent a stoppage beyond 2021. It's just a factor based on the pandemic and all that transpires because of it. FA and arbitration and extensions and so much more are going to be affected. Doesn't that bode well to keep Odorizzi, who wants to stay, an extension for Berrios, or even keeping Rosario and anyone else wanted for a new deal?

 

3] Despite developmental loss for milb players...for everyone, not just the Twins...the Twins may be in an enviable position. The bulk of milb talent throughout baseball will stagnate for a year, unfortunately, unless something changes drastically like a partial season or some sort of U.S, based "winter league". (There are rumors of independent leagues and MILB cities attempting to cobble together their own versions of milb and inviting players to join in). But despite a top ranked system with depth and seemingly nowhere for lower levels to play, the Twins have a number of top 10 prospects who have already spent at least some time at AA and above who could/should find themselves on the proposed taxi squad for 2020. Think Kirilloff, Larnach, Jeffers, Gordon, Balazovic, Alcala, Duran and Lewis. How much they scrimmage or just practice and work with ML coaches and players, that is better than nothing.

 

I'm trying to be glass half full, I'm trying to shine a tarnished silver dish. Whatever. But am I really misguided here that a crazy, short 2020 season could actually help the Twins for 2021 and beyond?

[dex8425]

On the impending free agents you mentioned, I don't think it has any bearing on extending Berrios. That will be as difficult to do as before.

 

It may be easier to re-sign Odo, since he tested the market already and came away unimpressed, otherwise he wouldn't have taken the QO. There will be even more unknowns for him next offseason, no matter how he pitches in 10 or so starts.

 

I would be shocked if Rosario is a Twin in 2022. Or 2021. It just doesn't make sense given that Rooker, Larnach, Kiriloff, and even Cave are on the roster. Rosario was barely above replacement value last year. Cave could give you that right now much cheaper. 

[DocBauer]

On the impending free agents you mentioned, I don't think it has any bearing on extending Berrios. That will be as difficult to do as before.

 

It may be easier to re-sign Odo, since he tested the market already and came away unimpressed, otherwise he wouldn't have taken the QO. There will be even more unknowns for him next offseason, no matter how he pitches in 10 or so starts.

 

I would be shocked if Rosario is a Twin in 2022. Or 2021. It just doesn't make sense given that Rooker, Larnach, Kiriloff, and even Cave are on the roster. Rosario was barely above replacement value last year. Cave could give you that right now much cheaper.

 

We agree on Oddo.

 

FA and I believe arbitration are going to be greatly affected next season, and for a few seasons beyond. And despite a taxi squad, with no milb season to be had, and at this point no sort of fall league or expanded EST in the works, are Rooker, Kirilloff and Larnach really going to be ready to replace Eddie in LF for 2021? Rosario's arbitration $ for next season is not crazy and could be cheaper. And again, will someone be truly ready to take over? Of course, Eddie could also rake in a short 2020 and earn every $ possible, which would be a good thing.

 

I don't disagree necessarily about Berrios. Hell, he could be a potential Cy Young candidate. But with the flux financially baseball will be in the next couple of seasons, and with all the unknowns of the next CBA, I could see him coming in cheaper than previously expected for security sake.