Winter Meetings Day 2: Wisler Signs, Twins Checked in on Lynn

[Nate Palmer]

On Winter Meetings Day 2 we learned the Twins did some checking in on Lance Lynn. Also, old friend Matt Wisler found a new home. Let's get caught up on things of interest to the Twins.Day 2 of the 2020 Virtual Winter Meetings was not only marked by Minnesota Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson’s birthday. It was also riddled with action around the AL Central. Just not with the Twins to this point.

Matt Wisler signs with Giants

 

The Twins' bullpen find from last season and surprise non-tender Matt Wisler will officially not be returning to Minnesota for 2021. Wisler signed a $1.15 million contract to join the San Francisco Giants. This seems like a clear signal that the Twins front office sees some performance reason, not just a money-saving effort, to not bring Wisler back for another go around.

 

 

White Sox Add an Outfielder

 

Late Monday night news broke that Lance Lynn was traded to the Chicago White Sox. They didn’t stop their moves into Tuesday, as they announced the signing of former outfielder Adam Eaton, a former White Sox player, to a one-year, $7 million contract with a club option. Eaton promptly reintroduced himself to the Chicago fan base by hanging up during a radio appearance.

 

Twins Reportedly Checked in on Lance Lynn

 

Dan Hayes tweeted out today that the Twins were at least having conversations with the Rangers about Lynn. The Rangers reportedly asked for Jordan Balazovic and Blayne Enlow. That package seems to be more valuable than the White Sox package and also feels like a lot for Lynn.

 

Royals Add Potential Cruz Replacement

 

It wasn’t necessarily a likely move, but the Royals added a player that could have made sense for the Twins if Cruz didn’t return. Kansas City signed Carlos Santana to a two-year, $17 million deal.

 

The switch hitting 1B/DH is the latest in a series of what looks like some potentially sneaky smart moves that the Royals have made. They will either win a few more games or potentially have some good trade chips come the trade deadline once again this summer.

 

Competitive Balance Picks Announced

 

Competitive Balance picks were announced and the Twins have been given the 35th overall pick, the last pick in the Round A portion of the selections. These selections are awarded based on teams that fall in the bottom 10 of revenue or market size.

 

A lot can happen with this pick as it can move depending on action around the Twins due to the ability for these picks to be traded or forfeited in the event of signing a player who rejected a qualifying offer.

 

Old Friend Trevor Hildenberger Joins Trevor May

 

It looks like Hildenberger will get another shot on a minor league deal with the Mets. Hildenberger was an incredibly valuable part of the Twins 2017 and 2018 bullpens. He appeared in 32 games in the second half of 2017 and 73 in 2018. That seemingly led to injury issues, and one can wonder if Paul Molitor hadn’t leaned on him so heavily those two seasons what may have come from Hildy in the Twins pen.

 

MORE FROM TWINS DAILY

— Latest Twins coverage from our writers

— Recent Twins discussion in our forums

— Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email

 

Click here to view the article

[TopGunn#22]

Once again, the White Sox are out of the gate quick.  

Very interested what the Twins will end up doing.

Would love to somehow acquire Ketel Marte from the D-Backs.  Covers LOTS of positions.

Would love to add Liam Hendricks to the BP.

Absent Hendricks, would like to see Brand Hand and Bradley added to the BP.

Very interested in David Dahl as a full time LF'er and backup CF'er if Buxton gets hurt.

Who will the Twins add as another SP?  Need a solid vet with Dobnak #5.

[DocBauer]

The Dirty Sox continue to be aggressive. Should we be concerned? Maybe. I'm not at the moment.

 

Rumor has it the Twins are being quietly aggressive in early talks and speculation has them keeping payroll close to last season. That leaves a lot of flexible room to add to our favorite team.

 

Reportedly, the Mets may be out on Odorizzi. Atlanta was rumored to be interested, but they've already made some early moves. Maybe Oddo isn't what the Twins want, but I still think he makes a ton of sense.

 

I think there's a lot of faith in the FO and ML staff to build a bullpen. And we have holes to be filled. But except for a couple of primary FA, there appears to be a GLUT of potentially good arms to add at some point.

 

I am concerned about the infield and "utility" personnel. Everyone 100% healthy, we're just looking at Marwin and Adrianza replacements. Now, I'm not saying that isn't important! But I think it's more important considering injuries to Donaldson, Polanco and Arraez.

 

There are going to be 2 moves here at some point. This could be as "small" as a re-sign of Adrianza and a Marwin replacement who could be one of at least a half dozen players from Hernandez to Profar to Gyorko or LaStella, etc, etc. There are a TON of options!

 

As I posted in another thread, what if the Twins did sign Hernandez? He can, as I understand his ability and past appearance, cover SS. They could then sign another decent bat who can play 3 infield spots. Or maybe they surprise and sign a top SS and still sign another solid player and convert Polanco to a super utility role.

 

I think there could be a surprise signing in the infield. Opportunity is there.

 

Surprised the Royals signed Santana. He will help. I think they're too far away, but who knows. Takes away a potential DH option for the Twins, should they move on from Cruz.

 

Speaking of Cruz, the report from MLB that there should be no expectation of a universal DH, should play in the Twins favor. Still not sure I buy reports Cruz should expect $15-18M post covid 2020. Maybe. But thus far, most signings have still been SP. There have been early signings, and there will be more. I still expect a sort of "leveling out" and a bunch of bargains over the next few weeks.

 

I appreciate the FO ability to build a team and find bargains. They've done so in the past. I believe they will do so this year. But I hope they will also jump on a couple early values initially that seem present.

[bobs]

Falvey and Levine have given us every reason to trust them and their process.  At some point, if they are going to win in the postseason, however, things are going to have to go past "checked in".  

[specialiststeve]

Not worried about the bullpen. We have some nice arms coming up and with Rogers, Duffy, Alcala, Stashak and Colina there to be the core we are okay. Literally a hundred relief pitchers out there. They will do there homework with some metric magic and find a few guys cheap that will do fine... 

 

Do need one good if not great starter and we are pretty set. Would be nice to spend on Nellie.. 2 year deal with a mutual option for the second year ought to get it done.... Lots of options for the utility guys.. just depends on costs... value...

[Shaitan]

I wouldn't give Santana 2 years. But I also wouldn't have done so 2 years ago, so what do I know.

[Thegrin]

I think we have learned to not underestimate Falvine. By the end of Spring Training we will have made some significant positive moves.