Winter Meetings Day 1: What Did We Learn?

[Squirrel]

2 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Three or four good to great pitchers have signed. There were three great ones available. What, realistically, do you expect? Did you expect the Mets not to sign one? 

They acquired a number two in a trade last year......

I never expected them to go after or sign top FA pitching. And after seeing what DeGrom got? Yeah, nope, not happening. I'm still hoping for Correa, though ... 

[MABB1959]

17 hours ago, Heistyman said:

It might be me, but it seems the Twins leadership is often underestimating the #1 SP AAVs.  They say they want to be players for an ACE then they get sticker shock and need to pivot.  Maybe they should put more time into other methods to develop or acquire a future #1 and less time falling into this free agent pothole they keep hitting.  Maybe I'm just getting frustrated.

They always say they are in, and they will NEVER spend to get an Ace.  Same old, same old every year.  Players are rolling off the board.  From the MLB site, what does this mean?  Few glaring needs and we don't have the foundation?

"But given the depth of the existing roster, which currently has few glaring needs outside of a timeshare catcher, the time for a splash could indeed be now."

We wouldn't be having this conversation if I didn't feel the foundation wasn't there, Falvey said. “That would be, in my estimation, probably a little unwise to push when you don't have the foundation. So, I couldn't recommend that to ownership as the right path."

 

[MABB1959]

17 hours ago, Heistyman said:

It might be me, but it seems the Twins leadership is often underestimating the #1 SP AAVs.  They say they want to be players for an ACE then they get sticker shock and need to pivot.  Maybe they should put more time into other methods to develop or acquire a future #1 and less time falling into this free agent pothole they keep hitting.  Maybe I'm just getting frustrated.

Right there with you.  They need to get over sticker shock and just do it.  If they don't start spending, they are losing revenue in so many other places.  It is like a chicken/egg situation!

[MABB1959]

8 hours ago, Squirrel said:

I never expected them to go after or sign top FA pitching. And after seeing what DeGrom got? Yeah, nope, not happening. I'm still hoping for Correa, though ... 

So sad we can't even have hopes.  I totally disagree we are small market and if we are it is only because they do not field a competitive team.

[MABB1959]

19 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Considering how much "proven" relievers are getting, I'd be looking for failed (or old, injured, etc) starters to add in bulk.

Mike Minor, Wade Miley, Rich Hill, Ryan Yarbrough, Aaron Sanchez, etc. Any of them could be the next Jorge Lopez.

Here's another example: Chad Kuhl. He has been a 5th starter for several seasons and isn't getting any younger. His fastball is well below average in the rotation but could play up in the bullpen if he adds a couple MPH. His slider is decent and he gets a lot of spin on his curveball (though his curve does get hit hard when it is poorly located). Get him to stop throwing his awful sinker (which he threw 44% of the time) and his changeup (which gets hit like crazy) and focus on what he does best.

I hate that we are always looking at the "left-overs" or hope and pray (old or injury prone) types of players.  

[Squirrel]

24 minutes ago, MABB1959 said:

So sad we can't even have hopes.  I totally disagree we are small market and if we are it is only because they do not field a competitive team.

I have hopes for Correa, though. And I don't think we are small market, either, and dislike that argument. We are mid-market, and I think pretty much most people here know that. But that still doesn't mean we can or should go insane. I have no qualms signing a position player to a big, long contract, like Correa. But I agree with not signing a pitcher to the same. The way pitchers pitch today, they do not last that long. What DeGrom got was insane, and, imo, irresponsible. No way if I were an owner would I have allowed that. I wouldn't have even signed Rodon to that and he will want, and probably get, more. That said, we do need to be better at developing what we need. Or better at identifying and trading for it. As long as we aren't filling the rotation with Happs and Shoemakers, we'll be fine ... but spend on quality relief arms, then. That is a workable formula.

[DJL44]

40 minutes ago, MABB1959 said:

I hate that we are always looking at the "left-overs" or hope and pray (old or injury prone) types of players.  

You can either pay retail for "proven" relief pitching or you can make your own. Ask Los Angeles how "proven" relievers Ryan Tepera and Aaron Loup worked out for them.

I'm not thrilled that the Twins are getting outspent 2-1 by the small market Padres but that's the reality.

[Otaknam]

Agree to stop signing reclamation project pitchers and see which young pitchers emerge from the competition. Varland got some experience already so let’s see what he can do as a number five starter. 

[Karbo]

The Tw ins seem to finally be on the verge of having a pitching pipeline. No more signing aging 4-5 starters trying to get another year out of them. please! The type of pitching needed is reliable 2-3 inning guys that have "rubber' arms and are capable of going every couple of days or so.Its time to focus on the lineup, which has several holes that need to be filled. SS, C, RH hitting OF, they are the areas the Twins should be focused on IMHO. Signing Correa is very important to the team and fan base. Winning is the only way to get fans back, and that starts with Quality.

[Parfigliano]

23 hours ago, DJL44 said:

How many years was Nelson Cruz supposed to babysit Miguel Sano before he was able to grow up and be a big boy on his own?

At least one more

[ziggy]

Quote

 It didn't matter... once impressions are formed... they are hard to shake.

When I see a bird that walks like a duck, looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck. 

I just don't see the Twins buying that Dior belt. I don't see Correa giving the Twins a break on money either, his Dior belt insinuated that. The Polad family didn't get where they are by not getting a return on their money. I hope I'm wrong, I like Correa as a player but 300 million is a lot to fork out. Attendance was not overwhelming last summer when they were in first place for most of the summer.

[Dman]

Not that it matters but no one else in our division seems to be in on any big names this year either.  It's not an excuse for our FO to do nothing but there is steep competition for the high end FA players and if signing one means eating 30% of our payroll for 10 years that feels a bit risky to me. 

They are going after the same player that led the team to an under .500 record.  I don't think he is enough of a difference maker to make a difference for the amount of money they want to invest.  This team needs much better pitching to compete in the division and the playoffs.  This is a team with lot's of potential hitters close to ready but little to no difference making arms on the farm.  If they want to focus on something that will make the whole team better it should be pitching.  

I like Correa and certainly won't be upset if the Twins sign him but I also think there are other ways to get to where the team needs go without Correa as well.  In fact IMO they might be better off without him in the end.  At any rate I am looking at this either scenario as a win\win no matter the outcome.