Rumor: Twins Still in on Rodon and Swanson

[Nashvilletwin]

Just read on a Cubs- related site that their intel is that the Twins are still looking very hard at both Rodon and Swanson. There’s not that much surprise to that rumour I guess. But what if the ultimate pivot by Falvey from Correa is to sign both of them? It sounds outlandish, and far deeper pocket teams would need to be beat out in the bidding. But, even with the likely “overpay” (whatever that means), the total annual cost vs. Correa stand alone would probably only be about $20MM more ($50MM vs $30MM or so) and the lengths of the contracts would be shorter. The Twins could afford it and a few moves - trading Kepler for example - could ease the burden.  These two signings would certainly fire up the base and position the team as the favorite in the Central. Who knows, with a true #1, we might even win a playoff game. Besides, signing just one doesn’t really move the dial neigh for this club on so many fronts. But both……?

Falvey is a bit of a rabbit out of the hat puller. I’m not putting anything past him at this point.  Unlikely - for sure.  Impossible - no.

 

View full rumor

[dxpavelka]

Works for me.  So do the Easter Bunny & Santa Claus.

[Beast]

New to Twins fandom?

[Reptevia]

Just no. It would be an overpay for either one.  By the way, that means we would be paying much more than their worth to the team. Either in dollars or years. 

[CRF]

Ain't gonna happen. 

[Nashvilletwin]

54 minutes ago, Beast said:

New to Twins fandom?

Yep. Only 55 years and a slight loss of hearing in my left ear from attending games 6 and 7 in ‘87. 

[Nashvilletwin]

50 minutes ago, CRF said:

Ain't gonna happen. 

Yeah, you are totally correct even if the rumor that they are still in hard on both is true.

Having said that, desperate people do desperate things and our FO is looking pretty darn desperate right now. Besides, what a great way for Nephew Joe to make a big splash out of the gate. Maybe his uncles give him a Christmas gift.

[Nate Palmer]

Both would be great. I also once had myself convinced for a hot minute that the Twins could land both Darvish and Ohtani. 

[JDubs]

I mean, Swanson and Rodón together would probably be a better outcome than just Correa. But then again, trading for Judge, Sherzer, Ohtani, and Gerrit Cole would definitely be better than either of those and seems just about as likely to actually happen.

[nicksaviking]

33 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Yeah, you are totally correct even if the rumor that they are still in hard on both is true.

Having said that, desperate people do desperate things and our FO is looking pretty darn desperate right now. Besides, what a great way for Nephew Joe to make a big splash out of the gate. Maybe his uncles give him a Christmas gift.

Yeah, this is what I'm worried about. I could see them completely over-compensate because they know the optics aren't good right now. Most years, Swanson is barely average offensively, He's had an OPS+ above 100 just two out of his six full seasons. I really want little to do with him assuming he too will get a long term contract. Maybe if other teams feel the same, they can do the Correa deal from last year with him.

Seven years for Rodon is crazy, but I suppose at least there's a possibility of elite upside there. And if he wants seven years, you have to know he'll get it.

[USAFChief]

35 minutes ago, Nate Palmer said:

Both would be great. I also once had myself convinced for a hot minute that the Twins could land both Darvish and Ohtani. 

Why the sarcasm??

The Twins were "in on" both of those two.

[LA VIkes Fan]

Sign Swanson. Then pivot to signing some hitters and trying to trade for a pitching upgrade. For hitters there's Benintendi, Profar, Wil Myers, Trey Mancini, and Michael Conforto. Sign two to play LF/DH/1B. My picks are Two of Profar, Mancini and Myers. Trade for a starter if you can do it without giving up Arraez. Otherwise, roll with what you got.  

[jmlease1]

1 hour ago, JDubs said:

I mean, Swanson and Rodón together would probably be a better outcome than just Correa. But then again, trading for Judge, Sherzer, Ohtani, and Gerrit Cole would definitely be better than either of those and seems just about as likely to actually happen.

yeah, we ain't getting both. odds aren't great on landing one of them.

We're probably talking at least 6/$180M to get Rodon? (Yankess reportedly refused to do 7/$210M and "weren't close") I honestly have no idea what the deal looks like for Swanson any longer. I'd believe anything from 8/$180M to 10/$270M at this point.

Would people be happy if we landed one of them at the top end of the salary range? They're both impact players. Or would the same people who are absolutely crushing the Twins front office right now for failing in the Correa hunt immediately turn and scream at them for throwing money away on overrated players and dooming the franchise?

Personally, I would go 6/$180M on Rodon and roll the dice. But even that might not be enough.

[TwinsDr2021]

So based on Gausman (5/110) and Ray (5/115) last year, they probably could have gotten Rodon for 5/130ish, and now it's going to cost 30 million plus for 6 years. Seems like another win by the front office. Now I don't believe they will sign him and why would they when they have Gray, Mahle, Ryan, Ober and actual decent prospects close who are by no means young except SWR.  That top 4 if healthy should be more than enough to compete in the division, the offense on the other hand is IMO no where near good enough to complete for anything. (Unless of course, the injury prone players don't get injured and the a few guys that we have been waiting for to actually be good; turn out to be good and Polanco and Kepler are close to the top of their game and I don't see Swanson solving any of those offensive issues)

But hey we signed a platoon catcher so that problem is solved.

[Bigfork Twins Guy]

What if the Twins new strategy is to buy high and short?  They paid CC high AAV for the short-tern.  They got his services and then got all that financial flexibility back when he left.

If the Twins offer Rodon and Swanson 3 years or less with opt outs at a much higher AAV than other teams are offering, those two might just take it assuming they could get another payday in a few years.

That would also reintroduce that financial flexibility back to the Twins when one or both of those guys opt out or reach the end of their deal.

It's a strategy of not ever investing in the sickening long-term monstrous high-risk deals.  If they misjudge, then the hurt is not for near as long.

If they used this strategy, the down side is high turnover and less investment by fans due to that.  The plus side is they get FA's to come and hopefully with a few each year, combined with upcoming prospects, they could remain competitive over time.

What do you all think of this approach?

[mnfireman]

Remember, Rodon is also represented by Boras.....

[Nashvilletwin]

17 minutes ago, mnfireman said:

Remember, Rodon is also represented by Boras.....

Haha, maybe he throws us a consolation bone?

[MABB1959]

I don't think there are any MLB upper-level players that would consider coming here.  When they are at that status playing for a contender is important and that is nowhere on the horizon for the Twins.

[Mike Sixel]

Swanson just isn't the guy you go massive for. He just isn't likely to be great long, even short term there are questions. They could have had Rodon last year for what looks like a bargain now.......I have doubts they sign him. But as pointed out above, they might be desperate.

[nicksaviking]

While interested in Rodon, I would be concerned about his attitude if he didn't actually want to be here. I like a grumpy bulldog on the mound, but they have not worked out well when they wanted to be elsewhere. And guys who don't smile for their profile photos so far seem to be similar in demeanor. 

See how much nicer these guys look!

 

[ashbury]

2 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

While interested in Rodon, I would be concerned about his attitude if he didn't actually want to be here. I like a grumpy bulldog on the mound, but they have not worked out well when they wanted to be elsewhere. And guys who don't smile for their profile photos so far seem to be similar in demeanor. 

See how much nicer these guys look!

 

"You should smile more." Always a great ice-breaker for a conversation!

[nicksaviking]

14 minutes ago, ashbury said:

"You should smile more." Always a great ice-breaker for a conversation!

Funny how overbearing mothers and creepy guys at the bar both use the same greeting.

[Battle ur tail off]

12 hours ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Just read on a Cubs- related site that their intel is that the Twins are still looking very hard at both Rodon and Swanson. There’s not that much surprise to that rumour I guess. But what if the ultimate pivot by Falvey from Correa is to sign both of them? It sounds outlandish, and far deeper pocket teams would need to be beat out in the bidding. But, even with the likely “overpay” (whatever that means), the total annual cost vs. Correa stand alone would probably only be about $20MM more ($50MM vs $30MM or so) and the lengths of the contracts would be shorter. The Twins could afford it and a few moves - trading Kepler for example - could ease the burden.  These two signings would certainly fire up the base and position the team as the favorite in the Central. Who knows, with a true #1, we might even win a playoff game. Besides, signing just one doesn’t really move the dial neigh for this club on so many fronts. But both……?

Falvey is a bit of a rabbit out of the hat puller. I’m not putting anything past him at this point.  Unlikely - for sure.  Impossible - no.

 

 

View full rumor

 

I don't even think either is worth overpaying for, but you just got over falling for or hoping on Correa. We all know this has no chance of happening. 

[jmlease1]

5 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

So based on Gausman (5/110) and Ray (5/115) last year, they probably could have gotten Rodon for 5/130ish, and now it's going to cost 30 million plus for 6 years. Seems like another win by the front office. Now I don't believe they will sign him and why would they when they have Gray, Mahle, Ryan, Ober and actual decent prospects close who are by no means young except SWR.  That top 4 if healthy should be more than enough to compete in the division, the offense on the other hand is IMO no where near good enough to complete for anything. (Unless of course, the injury prone players don't get injured and the a few guys that we have been waiting for to actually be good; turn out to be good and Polanco and Kepler are close to the top of their game and I don't see Swanson solving any of those offensive issues)

But hey we signed a platoon catcher so that problem is solved.

Your hindsight is 20/20. Well done. Literally NO ONE offered Rodon anything close to that last year. Because, of course, he hadn't pitched a fully healthy season basically ever and his own team was apparently so concerned about his health that they declined to make a qualifying offer. Better fire every other front office than the Giants for not giving Rodon a 5 year deal in 2022!

[Mike Sixel]

34 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

Your hindsight is 20/20. Well done. Literally NO ONE offered Rodon anything close to that last year. Because, of course, he hadn't pitched a fully healthy season basically ever and his own team was apparently so concerned about his health that they declined to make a qualifying offer. Better fire every other front office than the Giants for not giving Rodon a 5 year deal in 2022!

It's only going to cost more next year and the years after.

[TwinsDr2021]

43 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

Your hindsight is 20/20. Well done. Literally NO ONE offered Rodon anything close to that last year. Because, of course, he hadn't pitched a fully healthy season basically ever and his own team was apparently so concerned about his health that they declined to make a qualifying offer. Better fire every other front office than the Giants for not giving Rodon a 5 year deal in 2022!

Maybe they should have, or maybe they wanted SF to pay him 22 in a prove it year, so they could pay him 30 for 6 years, or maybe offer him less than somebody else and say they were in on him.

[jorgenswest]

Signing either to a long term contract will not only be this years big commitment but also the big commitment for the next several years. Is either that pivotal player? They aren’t going to be signing a 25-30 million free agent every year.

[oregontwin]

9 hours ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Yep. Only 55 years and a slight loss of hearing in my left ear from attending games 6 and 7 in ‘87. 

Umpire blew the call on Chili Davis coming home in game seven. Still annoys me

[SanoMustGo]

With the financial climate of the sport, how do you legitimately compete now without an overpay or two? No, we are not Tampa, no one is.

[Malachi]

7 hours ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Haha, maybe he throws us a consolation bone?

Of course he is, Someone get him a pass for nickelodeon universe!