My Offseason Twins Plan - Sign Stroman and Seager

[wildtwinsfan045]

Here is my armchair GM plan for the Twins.  Not sure how probable it is, but I think it is at least plausible.

In the Rotation: we sign Stromen for the suggested $20 million a year for four or five years.  I also bring back Pineda for $10 mil for a year or two.   I put Dobnak in there as well, as I think he can be better than last year.  He'll have a short leash, and we have plenty of other young options in the minors that can come get a tryout as needed or desired.  Ober and Ryan round it out.

Bullpen: bring in Knebel for $5 mil and Yimi Garcia for $2 mil, bring back Manaya, and give Moran a full time shot.  Rogers is hopefully healthy and closes.

Hitters: Our big splash is Seager for $30 mil a year.  With this many high-quality shortstops available, the Twins should try to get one, and I would choose Seager.  We can afford him by trading away Donaldson, and I left about $10 mil for the Twins to pay for him in a trade costs.  Not sure who we would get back, probably not much more than a few lotto tickets.  Arraez is our primary 3rd baseman, with Miranda coming up and relieving him often.  Miranda was a monster last year in AAA, time to prove it at the big league level.  There is lots of room in the line up for switching positions to give breaks.  I would still have Arraez acting as a super utility guy, but he would spend most of his time at 3rd. 

I am in the "extend Buxton" camp, $15 mil a year plus incentives based on plate appearances.  If it takes more guaranteed money, then so be it.  Get it done!

Let me know what you think.  Thanks!

[Rosterman]

Alocating funds. Always tricky when going after free agents. You get someone who you think will compliment your team, especially with another name, but somehow you don't get one of the guys, or worse yet, neither. 

 

Buxton is the key. Secondary is what to do with Sano. Third is if there is any interest in Donaldson. 

 

Be interesting to see if there are alot of free agent signings before collective bargaining hits December 1. This will give a big idea on the pricetag for talent. If players are willing to gamble and sign NOW or wait until the future.

 

Of course, amidst it all, teams will be in the hunt for trading.

 

I wish putting together the perfect team was as easy as spending the money to get the pieces one thinks will work. But the flip side is that someone else is also out there that will pay more or offer better. Amazing how every team is looking for mmuch of the same things each season - top of the rotation arm/s, better bullpen, middle infield - and instead of 60 or 90 first class choices for such positions, there is only a half-dozen, and lots and lots of maybeeees.

[Major League Ready]

It's going to be interesting to see what Seager gets.  Has has produced 3.4 and 3.7 war in the previous two full seasons.  He had 1.8 in 2020 so on a prorated basis about 5.4.  I know the prediction is 30+M but I think the only teams willing to pay that much for that level of production are the top few teams in terms of revenue.  It's quite different if $30M represents 10% of payroll as compared to 20+ percent.  I guess that's the question for the Twins. Is it a good idea to drop 20-22% of payroll on one player.  Looking through the top paid players by team, there are not any successful teams where one player represents 20+ percent of payroll.

I don't see the Twins playing at the very top of the SS market.  I see a stop gap or Chris Taylor because Taylor can be moved to a different position if Lewis proves to be a SS.  Of course, if they absolutely don't believe Lewis can stick at SS that would change the approach.  I see them giving Lewis every chance because if he sticks, they have a very promising left side of the IF for several years.  Perhaps just as importantly, that $30M or something close could be reallocated to bringing back Berrios next year or someone like him.

[roger]

Its always interesting reading projections here and elsewhere.  I usually get a good smile out of most, as no one has a clue what the Twins plan on doing and whether or not they are able to find a partner, free agent or GM to trade with, to make it happen.

But I found your suggestions interesting.  Major problem I see is having three players at $20mm or more, and yes, if Buxton is signed he is going to get $20mm, including bonuses.  And you are assuming the Twins can trade Donaldson, which is going to be very hard to do without their paying a bigger chunk of his salary while getting little in return, IMO.  

Would love to see them trot your lineup onto the field opening day.  Seriously doubt it has more than a 0,000001% of happening.

[tony&rodney]

Cory Seager is a real ballplayer and will likely get his money, but I'm not so sure the Twins can pay him. Pineda, Dobnak, Ryan, and Ober should be good for 60-80 starts and Stroman may start 30 games. I think the Twins need to trade for a few starters to fill in the blanks. I too hope the Twins sign Buxton.

[Joey P]

Buxton or we are done next season, and for the next several frankly. His health concerns should stabilize. Most of his injuries recently have been dumb luck. 

[Greglw3]

4 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Cory Seager is a real ballplayer and will likely get his money, but I'm not so sure the Twins can pay him. Pineda, Dobnak, Ryan, and Ober should be good for 60-80 starts and Stroman may start 30 games. I think the Twins need to trade for a few starters to fill in the blanks. I too hope the Twins sign Buxton.

Yep, good plan. Seager would be great but that pitching staff I’m afraid will be too weak with only one veteran quality starter. I don’t have much faith in Dobnak. He’s had several opportunities. I hope I’m wrong. I think they need 3 established starters plus Ober and Ryan. I had Ray, Danny Duffy and Pineda as the big 3. I think they could do that and still upgrade the offense.

[wildtwinsfan045]

On 11/2/2021 at 11:18 AM, roger said:

Its always interesting reading projections here and elsewhere.  I usually get a good smile out of most, as no one has a clue what the Twins plan on doing and whether or not they are able to find a partner, free agent or GM to trade with, to make it happen.

But I found your suggestions interesting.  Major problem I see is having three players at $20mm or more, and yes, if Buxton is signed he is going to get $20mm, including bonuses.  And you are assuming the Twins can trade Donaldson, which is going to be very hard to do without their paying a bigger chunk of his salary while getting little in return, IMO.  

Would love to see them trot your lineup onto the field opening day.  Seriously doubt it has more than a 0,000001% of happening.

[wildtwinsfan045]

Thanks everyone for the responses!  I know my plan isn't very likely happen, it is a bit of a dream scenario, but it's fun to dream, right?  I will be very interested to see what actually happens.

If I could have just one item happen from my plan, it would be signing Buxton to an extension.  I'm sure many of us feel the same way.