2022 Twins Build-Your-Own-Roster - Sign Rodon/Taylor, trade Kepler

[mk]

I'd appreciate your feedback on my plan for a 2022 Twins roster. I utilized the "Even" budget allotment and came out at $131m

Biggest moves: 

• Buxton signed for 6years/$108m 
• Chris Taylor signed 2 years/$24m
• Kepler traded to Oakland for Sean Manaea and A.J. Puk
• Rodon signed 4 years/$72m
• Pineda signed 1 year/$8m

 

 

[Brock Beauchamp]

You went $1m over budget. Unacceptable!

[Rosterman]

It's so much fun to speculate, make trades, and sign free agents. If anything, it makes us, as fans, look at players more closely that are free agents or on other rosters.

 

The Mets need nothing more than to come and visit Twins Daily to find their next general manager!

[mk]

43 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

You went $1m over budget. Unacceptable!

Maybe Buxton will take $17m in 2022 to help me out ?

[mike8791]

MK, agree with you that Rodon should be top FA Twins should pursue.  He was lights out last year - the best pitcher on a fine Sox staff.  Fact he was injured late should dampen his value somewhat, so he could be available for as low as $100MM/5 years. Note in his return to the rotation in Sept. he demonstrated similar stuff to earlier in year. With the Sox grooming Kopech for the rotation, they might be hesitant to resign Rodon.  If so, Twins should pounce(unless they expand their budget to afford Ray/Stroman).  

Also like fact you are returning lineup mainly intact, led by Buxton resigning.  Don't think you'll get Taylor for 2/$24MM but he would be a nice fill-in for a couple years.  Rooker a big no at DH; he should be released.  Better bet at DH would be Sano with Kirillof at 1B.  Rather keep Kepler unless his inclusion in a package needed to acquire a young, controllable starter with high upside.  Biggest problem I see is your BP.  It needs a couple better late-inning relievers, one as a closer.  Puk is aptly named, unfortunately.  Why not 2 of Knebel, Tepera, Yates instead?

My changes might lift payroll to $140MM but can't see how a lower number can lead to rapid return to contention.

[Mahoning]

With Buster Posey now retired, the Giants show up as a team that needs a catcher and maybe has some pitchers to trade. Also, Travis D'Arnaud can't hit a lick. Garver to Giants or Braves?

[mk]

8791 -

31 minutes ago, mike8791 said:

MK, agree with you that Rodon should be top FA Twins should pursue.  He was lights out last year - the best pitcher on a fine Sox staff.  Fact he was injured late should dampen his value somewhat, so he could be available for as low as $100MM/5 years. Note in his return to the rotation in Sept. he demonstrated similar stuff to earlier in year. With the Sox grooming Kopech for the rotation, they might be hesitant to resign Rodon.  If so, Twins should pounce(unless they expand their budget to afford Ray/Stroman).  

Also like fact you are returning lineup mainly intact, led by Buxton resigning.  Don't think you'll get Taylor for 2/$24MM but he would be a nice fill-in for a couple years.  Rooker a big no at DH; he should be released.  Better bet at DH would be Sano with Kirillof at 1B.  Rather keep Kepler unless his inclusion in a package needed to acquire a young, controllable starter with high upside.  Biggest problem I see is your BP.  It needs a couple better late-inning relievers, one as a closer.  Puk is aptly named, unfortunately.  Why not 2 of Knebel, Tepera, Yates instead?

My changes might lift payroll to $140MM but can't see how a lower number can lead to rapid return to contention.

I mostly agree with you.

With extra payroll approved by ownership, Ray/Gausman/Stroman would be my choice but it turns out you don't get them with a $130MM. I didn't know how long they'd have to go for Taylor, but as long as it's 4 years or under, I'd go for it. His utility means there's always a spot for him.

Regarding Rooker at DH... In reality, that spot is utilized by Donaldson about 50% of the time and the rest on a rotation with Sano, Polanco, Garver, and whoever else needs a day off. That enables Arraez to move around and be in the lineup the majority of the time. Maybe a better representation would have been to slot Arraez at DH and Rooker (or someone else making the minimum) on the bench. In my dreams Rooker ends up a Pete Alonso clone.

Kepler has to go to free up a little payroll and he has the value to get a good SP in return. Manaea is the main target and not a long-term commitment. For 2023 I'd make a play to get Berrios back and hopefully injuries don't sidetrack the development of Ober/Ryan. Balazovic, Duran, Woods-Richardson, Winder, and Strotman should all be pitching in the high minors and hopefully progress as well to fill in when injuries happen. As far as premium bullpen arms - its a luxury a $130MM payroll doesn't afford. 

One tough call was what to do with Miranda who seems to have earned his shot in the big leagues. Maybe the new CBA makes it worthwhile to get him on the roster to begin the year but I’d have him as the first call-up due to injury or poor performance of someone else. With additions of Chris Taylor and Miranda, they'd have all kinds of overlap in versatility with Polanco, Arraez, and Gordon.