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It is a good idea for baseball fans to watch Francona manage about 100 complete games to get a better idea of the difference a manager can make within a game. Just watch how Francona talks with the players, press, umpires and how he goes about making decisions. 100 games of watching Cleveland under Francona is very instructive. I don't have any problem with Baldelli specifically. He just lacks the skills of Francona. Not every team can have Francona either but if you watch at least 100 Cleveland games you should be able to understand the differences, and then you will know that Baldelli is not the perfect modern manager.

I think this is a fair analysis. I will say the biggest organizational philosophy they need to examine in bullpen construction is identifying 2 pitchers that they intend to throw more than 1 inning per outing. The back end is looking a lot stronger going into next season than it was at the start of this one with Lopez, Duran, Thielbar, Jax, and (hopefully) Alcala. But I think with starters often being in the "5 and Fly" mode you need a couple of relievers that you expect to throw 2-3 innings when they come in to bridge the gap. Do they have that in Moran, Sands, winder, etc? Could Dobnak be that kind of guy? Don't know, but having TWO guys who can attack the game that way makes it viable to manage the innings load. Kepler is unlikely to ever have a 2019 season again; it's looking like a Brady Anderson-style fluke year. but Polanco was great in 2021 and has been injured in 2022, not bad. (and Kepler has actually produced enough to be a reasonable starter even with the injuries and sapped power...which almost certainly has a lot to do with the busted toe) Nick Gordon has improved as a hitter to the point where he's a quality player, especially as a super-utility guy; he's going to finish the year right around 2 bWAR. Larnach was having a fine season before injury, so saying that "he's not that good" is a snap judgment that's awfully hasty. We shouldn't assume he's going to be as great as he was in May, but we also should write him off already no better than he was in April. Buxton might never play a full season again, but even in 92 games he was worth 4 bWAR. That's a really good player. If they can get him to 120-130 games a season he's an all-star quality player every year. I mean, if you're determined to presume the worst case scenario for every Twins player, I don't know what to tell you. Find a new team if you think the twins are uniquely jinxed? While I don't think every fan has to look only on the positive side of things, casting everything in a negative light, even when the evidence suggests a different story isn't very helpful. Polanco isn't a bad player. Polanco doesn't need to go back to 2019; he was actually better in 2021. Nick Gordon is proof for why you shouldn't give up on Larnach too soon. Buxton, Kirilloff, and Lewis might never stay healthy enough to maximize their talent...but that's the great unknown.

Someone has been smoking that whacky tobacky! If you think you can put Rocco and the word great in the same sentence you are delusional!! Yes, they use the numbers to make decisions but you still need to have a feel for the game and know when to over-ride those numbers. Rocco can't do that. Ask Dave St. Peter if he thinks Rocco is great as St. Peter sees ticket sales continue to slide into the dumpster. Great Managers inspire their fan bases. Rocco does the opposite! "Great"? How amusing,!

I do think there's something missing from this analysis that may change the conclusion. As fans, we have to rely published evaluations of minor league players. The far better evaluation tool is to look at what other teams will give up to get your minor league players. It's kind of like real estate, you can find valuations of your house all over the Internet but the real valuation is what someone will give you for that house. Here, I think the last trade deadline shows that the FO has done a good job drafting and restocking the farm system. We were able to trade 9 minor league players for a number 2 or 3 starter and a high and closer who both have significant control remaining, and a very good rental set up man. To me, that's the market saying to the Twins that "you have good minor league players". By contrast, there were several other teams looking to upgrade by trading prospects who couldn't do so because other teams did not highly value their prospects. I believe that a majority if not all of the prospects traded were drafted by this Front Office. All of that happened without trading some other guys drafted by this Front Office who potentially could have garnered even higher returns because they were so good as to be untouchable (Miranda), or were injured and/or untouchable (Larnach, Kirilloff, Lewis)., Farm systems exist for 2 reasons, not just one. The 1st is of course to provide a steady stream of low cost players to the major league club. The 2nd and almost as important reason is to provide resources so that when you are in an open intention window you can make trades for establish major leaguers without giving established major leaguers back in return. I think when you look at the totality of circumstances to me the more fair conclusion is that this Front Office has done a solid to very good job drafting the last 3 or 4 years and was able to turn those solid to very good drafts into established major league players. I think that shows a good organizational approach. We reaped the benefits of that approach at this year's deadline.

Thanks for making my point. "Uninformed fan" is exactly the kind of comment I was talking about in my post, and you led off with it. Well played.

If I was owner, I'd make it known to the entire staff, from Falvey on down, this is a make or break season. Either win your way, change your way of thinking, or get fired!

I'll have to respectfully disagree. The perfect "puppet" manager would be more accurate.

Really good point Ashbury. And to Roco's credit, the players seem to be able to put the team goals ahead of personal goals. That gets tricky sometimes, but this years Twins, led by veterans, Correa, Buck, Urshela, Gray and Archer, seem to have a "team first" attitude, which I thoroughly enjoy. Now, Rocco, about bunting and advancing those runners with less than 2 outs and hitting against the shift, may I humbly suggest there are some strategic changes which could produce more runs at critical times.

A great article! Very detailed and in depth! Couldn't agree more. I'm a believer in Jeffer's potential and don't think we've seen the best of him yet. I think a lot of people sell him short on his defense and handling of the staff, and don't realize he's as young as he is, and still only has a little over 500 ML AB. Boy, if AK could just get healthy and stay that way, what a difference he could make! I would have made your post "6" instead of 4. Larnach could also be a major difference maker. He's solid enough in the OF, should get better in time, and has a tremendous arm. We've seen flashes of what his bat might bring. And I think a lot of people forget about and undersell on Ober. While his IP were regulated in 2021, with just cause, he looked really good and finished strong. He was good to great in 2022 when healthy. Will he always have injury concerns? Or did all the changes and improvements he made in 2021 just get temporarily messed up due to non monitored offseason workouts and a short ST? I believe he's a solid mid rotation starter if he can just take the mound a good 26-28 turns.

Cron is arbitration eligible again for 2020. If he keeps up this production it should be a no brainer to tender him.

Rocco and this FO will never lead the Twins to a Championship. I will gladly eat crow if they do but I don't see how it will ever happen the way they construct a team with below average hitters, under-utilize the starters, over-use the bullpen, and have no concern about a players health when they sign them thus throwing money away to injured players that can't play. Great Managers play their best players every day, not a different lineup every day because some paper trail tells them to do it. Kepler was at one time a good clutch RBI guy according to the "numbers". Point being.. "at one time" doesn't mean he always will be. Continually batting him in the middle of the lineup because some number tells you to do so isn't a smart decision when he isn't doing it anymore. Making adjustments that help you win make you great. Rocco is too slow at doing that. Like sticking with Colome/Pagan as closers. It's as if he is watching the game but doesn't see what is happening. He's dumbfounded because the "numbers" tell him something different should be happening so he doesn't believe it. What makes a Manager great? Being flexible and willing to throw the numbers out the window. He won't, so my guess is he will go down with the ship when this FO gets fired. Until then, we as fans will slowly fade away because the "numbers" that matter tell us this is not fun, exciting, talented, good baseball to watch. Tell Dave St. Peter that you'll only get fans to come to games that are the type they like to watch. Evidently the scenario we have now, isn't it.

I'm convinced these numbers prove we'd have lost 170, maybe 180 games without him.

Absolutely incredible blog. Thank you for clearly articulating why I have nearly given up on my beloved team after similarly rooting for them for nearly 40 years. in addition to all of your stellar assessments, I believe the hyper focus on analytics is actually eroding our Twins ability to win in big moments. Let me explain. In an ironic twist, I own a data analytics firm of my own (specializing in private higher education enrollment). Analytics are designed to allow the decision makers the ability to make decisions without emotion clouding their judgement. Great. Wonderful concept. But, if all that was needed to run or manage a team was analytics, we wouldn't need a front office or even a manager. We would just need a data analyst to text an operations director in the dugout what they should do. When every single decision is made without emotion, eventually, the players who are generating that analytical data will similarly become conditioned to play with less emotion...and that's the rub. Baseball, nay, sports in general, are designed to be emotional! That's the attraction - both as a player and especially as a fan. I don't want to always see 'the right thing'....I want to see 'the thing that moves me'. I yearn to see the underdog surpass expectations. I hunger to see a manager assess the player at the moment - does he have it right now? Do I leave him in to face the order again? Do I allow a rookie to try to throw a no-hitter?!?!?!? Analytics creates a plan....but no plan is perfect. As I have learned in my business, courageous leadership is about learning how and when to deviate from the plan and how and when to stick to it. Look at Tito Francona, Dave Roberts, Tony LaRussa, Brian Snitker. These guys understand how to manage the emotional side of the game...and their teams have been winners in the clutch. I'm not knocking Rocco. I just think he needs to learn there is an art to leading a team that far beyond what analytics tell you to do in every, stinking, moment.

I think trading Miranda would be a huge mistake by the Twins. Since his slow start he has been raking and a much needed cog in this lineup. IMO he should be in the Twins long term plans.

Was there a $50 co-pay with this blog?

That's a great breakdown! Thanks for the information! Yes, just from a batting perspective, Gurriel would at least project as a bit better overall, assuming he comes back close to his previous career numbers after a down 2022. Can he at his age? Well, he was still pretty good in 2021, IIRC. I would have been fine adding him. But Solano had a re-birth with the bat a few years ago, offers very similar numbers, and obviously provides a great deal more versatility. In an ideal world, everyone is healthy and playing/hitting to expectation and there is no room for Solano on this team, despite being a good, solid player. I mean, I'd rather have a 100% and productive Larnach and/or Kirilloff in his place. But how often is the roster 100% healthy at any time? So solid bat, solid glove, experienced, and versatile. And if Farmer is pressed in to extended starting time at any spot, Solano is a nice utility player where the Twins don't have to make room for a AAAA player, or rush any of the kids. I good signing that I like the more I reflect on it.

Interesting idea. What SHOULD happen is a signing by a team not expected to contend and then use him for a trade to someone needing pen help, IF he's healthy and productive again. The 40 man is really crowded for the Twins right now. Other than maybe Pagan, I can't think of any obvious drop candidate to take a ML flier on Reyes. I'd much rather sign a more known arm such as Fulmer and offer Reyes a invite on a milb if nobody steps up. However, I do want to remind that once things get rolling, the Twins have 3 probably 60 day IL candidates. So if a reliever like Reyes was still sitting there late, that changes the entire thought process about taking that flier.

The reason Duran is in the bullpen to begin with is because he couldn't stay healthy as a starter. I have no doubt that if the Twins believed that Duran could pitch 150+ innings a year he would be in the rotation, unfortunately that just isn't the case.

Thanks for the article. You did a lot of research. You pointed out Jeffries versus the lefties and Vasquez versus righties makes sense. I am guessing that is how they convinced Vasquez that he will be the main guy. That and $30 million.

Stringer, first off, just an excellent post and I think you hit just about everything on the nail head. Honest truth, robbed a little thunder of what I'm wanting to post myself in a blog. I really appreciated one of your initial comments about trying to figure out how the Twins can possibly fit all their position players on the roster at one point. I'm in the same boat both then, and looking at next year. Despite the naysayers, I'm very excited about the POTENTIAL of the lineup in 2023. Other than SS, there isn't a major hole anywhere on the roster with a return to health. Amazing that a team can hit, get OB, and be amongst the best in all MLB getting a runner in from 3B but be amongst the worst at getting runners advanced or IN from 2B. There is a disconnect somewhere that is hard to quantify. I think, in retrospect, the early SP was a bit of an illusion. Bundy has actually been about what most teams would love to have in a 5th starter. The problem was, that role fell to Archer, who never took a step forward. And while Gray was very good, and Ryan had a wonderful rookie season, they were doomed by not adding someone from a tremendous FA class. My goodness, how much better would the rotation have been if they had signed Cueto, as rumored. Ignoring the pen was ridiculous. Even with a healthy Alcala, the pen needed an arm, and NOT Pagan. The lack of middle relief was a maddening downfall! And despite a team not exactly put together anything close to perfect, I just don't understand anyone not looking at injuries to just about everyone and anyone as not being a devastating blow to a contending team. And I don't think I even have to discuss injuries to the staff. (Ober was vastly missed and nobody talks about that). But how much better is the lineup with potential hitters like AK and Larnach and a healthy Kepler and Polanco beyond July? Instead, August and September, as you stated, the lineup was filled with a pair of Hamiltons and Cave and Contreras. And let's not forget having Beckham as an "emergency" player off the bench. Sheesh! How do you score runs at that point! Agreed there will be some roster turnover. It has to happen. Jeffers needs someone. A quality RH OF is needed. Fulmer needs to be re-signed or replaced adequately. And if Correa is not re-signed, not only do we need to figure out a temp situation, but we have to decide if there is a SP available to add to hedge bets vs just filling in with a young arm and hoping for the best. Agreed there is just too much talent on hand to tear things down. My goodness, with health and just a handful of smart additions, this team could be primed to win the ALC and make noise in the playoffs. But the FO HAS to make those few smart additions to add to the roster as well as hedging bets against injury. I'm an optimist about 2023 if the FO is smart and fills a couple holes and "over does" the roster a bit.

I think people just overvalue a lot of Twins players. Guys like Kepler and Polanco aren’t going back to 2019. Nick Gordon and Trevor Larnach just aren’t that good. Buxton will never play a full season. Kirillof’s career may be derailed at this point. Royce Lewis may never stay healthy. If he does, we don’t know he’s a good major leaguer yet based on a small sample. The list goes on.

I don't think the comment in the OP saying "There isn't much there" with this farm system is fair, for one big reason. When 4 out of your top 10 from the year before graduates from prospect status (Duran, Ryan, Miranda, Winder) of course your system "looks" worse.

While I'm well aware that a strong minor league system correlates with a strong major league team, I could care less how the minors "rank" if the major league team is winning. Prospect ratings are pure speculation. The results that matter at the the MLB level. But I also don't totally disagree with you. Of course I want the Twins to continually improve overall, majors and minors. But I don't think a side-by-side 2015-to-2022 list is a valid way to measure anything. What about the age of the roster in 2022 compared to 2016? What about long-term commitments and budget flexibility? What about the fact that there is a global pandemic that halted a year of development for most prospects? There are million variables that aren't addressed in this comparison.

Good work. Another thing to consider is league batting averages have declined significantly too. JD's line drive rate was down and flyball rate up. Still, an OPS+ of 127 was higher than Polanco (125) even. JD at 3B-DH for the Twins next year is not a problem that needs fixing.

Sorry, but even if Ryan turns out to be at least a serviceable starter (or better) AND if the Rays win the championship, no, the Twins didn't "fleece" the Rays. Not only is it too early to tell if Ryan will be good, it is also to early to determine if the price TB paid for Cruz was worth it, as they are going for it all this year. And I ask the same question here that I ask with every trade - why does every trade have to end with a "loser" and a "winner" like the games? What's wrong if both teams get what they wanted from a trade?

The best example of Eddie hate I've seen this week was when someone commented "The only thing Eddie did was hit a meaningless homer in the 8th inning of Game 3 against the Yankees". It was hilarious to me because if Arraez had hit that HR, you just know that poster would have said "Arraez, wow, what heart and grit, he's the only Twin who is trying to win this ball game. RESPECT." I think some people are turned off at Eddie's personality, and frankly can't get past it.

His OBP was only .300. He only walked 22 times. but his arm was accurate (8 assists compared to Keplers 4). and he hits in the clutch. (.340 RISP). I enjoyed each time I chanted "Eddie, Eddie, Eddie!" this past year.

Man, I'd hate to see Escobar go. I know that "good clubhouse guy" isn't backed up with any stats, but Edwardo is the poster boy for guys you'd want on your squad.

I for 1 would think Mahle should go well over your IP. I think he is capable of 170+ innings, if allowed too.

The analytics are at times useful in identifying trends or potential talent, but running every game on numbers will give you exactly average for your level of "statistical talent". Teams that get hot, go on a run to the world series are the ones who develop synergy, play above their heads and most importantly believe they can win. 1980 hockey gold medal anyone?? Of you looked only at analytics, they shouldn't even have bothered to play. But Herb Brooks worked them into supreme physical condition, got them to buy into being on Team USA, not just some player on loan from college and developed a sum far greater than its.parts. Thank God the "shift" Is gone. Play the game as it is meant to be played and go with your gut Instinct and the hot hand now and again. Jack Morris pitching the 10th inning in a game 7 was an extreme gut instinct move, especially when you have a proven stud in Aguilera available to close. But it worked, it was destiny, and they won. I guarantee you if TK had taken Morris out at any point earlier in that game, they would have lost Leave the starting pitcher who is going well in. Get a set lineup for batting and stick with it until it doesn't produce. When you know who is batting in front and behind you, you will learn every nuance and what they will likely do with every pitch in every situation. Like Cousins & JJ or any great QB /WR combo, each will know what the other is thinking and therefore do. Stick another WR in JJ spot (pick any hall of famer) and you won't get the same results. Even though "analytics " say his #'s are better, they never will be.

Have been a Twins fan for 50 years... we have had our share of good and bad managers. But... After having Kelly and Gardy we know that we were clearly spoiled. There used to be a saying around baseball... The Twins way... meaning playing great fundamental baseball, running the bases well, good suituationaly hitting, Good pitching and quality back end pitching. At this point we are 1 for 5 ... maybe ... giving that the starting pitching is good but not great. I think we have the back end pitching but Baldelli and the pitching coach completlely mismanged. I clearly am a bit old school but in looking at the great teams around right now .. other than the talent disparity ... thy all play "old school" fundamental baseball. The game has been aound going on around 150 years... those that think they can outsmart it are actually doing a disservice to the game and the fans. Pretty much why all the rule changes. The analytics and metrics that everyone seems to be enamored with are numbers... that is it... they are intended to assist a manager in making quality decisions... not "be" the decision as it clearly appears is the case as we watch Baldelli. I feel bad for Baldelli as it shows a lack of trust from the FO or lack in trusting his own baseball instincts. Whatever the case unless we get back to the traditional "Twins Way" we are in for more of the same... NOT GOOD!!

I agree Baldelli is a pretty good player manager. He gets along pretty well with his players & makes everyone feel relaxed. FO hired him because of his analytics & that he'd copy the pitching formula that made TB a great pitcher team. And he has done that, the problem is we're not the TB Rays. The TB Rays have always had one of best rotation in MLB and a BP stable full of impact arms. Even while Baldelli is trying to imitate TB with a weaker rotation, TB still pitches fewer innings. That's because of TB's superior short relief. The problem with Baldelli is that he's too analytical. He needs to get his head out from the numbers, take a step back, try to see where the problem is & try to resolve it, instead of keep plowing through with the same formula. If the rotation & short relief can't cut it, supplement with long relief. You might say it's not him it's FO, still they're joined at the hip. I have other things against him like not focusing on fundamentals but that could be FO again. I agree that analytics are important. But personally I prefer a manager that goes by his gut & have a bench coach that can help him out with the analytical side. I'd say the same thing about the head pitching & hitting coaches.

I agreed with the gist of your comments until you mentioned preferring Terry Ryan back. Terry Ryan Part II was an unmitigated disaster. SO too have Falvey and Levine been for over 2 years. They still have a chance to redeem themselves before spring training. Do I have confidence in them? Largely no but partially yes since they did sign, Cruz, Schoop and C.J. Cron for the 2019 season. Since then, they’ve essentially torn down that 101 team to 2 consecutive seasons of losing records. So, my confidence in them is low but I’m open to changing my mind if they make a brilliant series of trades. Think of the MOs in Twins history: 1) Calvin Griffith took a wrecking ball to the franchise after the advent of free agency. He let a ton of glittering talent walk away in one of, if not, the most painful periods in Twins history. 2) Terry Ryan put together good team with Koskie, Mientkiewicz, etc. but refused to supplement it for playoff success. He also released David Ortiz after a 20 HR season while Ortiz was battling and affected by a bad knee. Worst decision in Twins history next to Calvin trading Rod Carew due to money. 3) Andy McPhail - a genius and responsible for the 2 WS titles. 4) Bill Smith - total and complete disaster 5) Terry Ryan Part II - Disaster filled with lousy trades and apparently not even spending the money he was authorized to. His stock line was always along the lines of "we think we’re all set there or we’re fine" when they clearly weren’t. 6) Falvey and Levine - Poor. Grade of D or D+ for their body of work so far.

The weakest hitters on our current major league squad are just barely below league average, and none except maybe Miranda when he's at third seems like an absolute butcher on defense. So whoever sits for a given game is a capable substitute if the need arises. That relatively high "floor" does seem like an underappreciated asset.

Who knows, maybe this new catcher they picked up off waivers can play short, and start a game here and there, and in a pinch can come in from the pen.

Kirilloff, unlike Hrbek, Morneau, and Mauer, throws left-handed, too. His predecessors all batted left-handed, but threw right-handed. Some believe that wearing the glove on the right hand at first make the best fielding first basemen, and it is an inherent defensive advantage. Maybe we will find out.

Andrew, love your article! Love your common sense backed up with unbias data. I encourage you to write as often as you can because you're a pleasure to read and to disarm any false ideas out there. This is a fair contract (the # of years could be tricky), no more fooling around. Get it done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BTW, what has been offered?

I've commented on this several times as well. With the Marlins as a trade target, the Twins have both Garver and Jeffers who should be VERY interesting to Miami. MLB Trade values currently has Garver at 18.1 and Jeffers at 27.9. If the Twins are looking for someone like Sandy Alcantara it would take Jeffers and Larnach. I'd do that. If the Twins are willing to go for someone like former Golden Gopher Max Meyer (28.1) Jeffers in a one-for-one swap pretty much does it. If the Twins want to go BIG and ask for Meyer AND Sixto Sanchez (9.5) then a little something extra would need to be added with Jeffers. The thing is, Jeffers is a solid defensive catcher with power (14 HR's in under 300 PA's) whose younger with more years of team control. The Marlins catching situation is a disaster and one they will need to address this off season. Is Jeffers really worth more than Garver ? I don't think so either, but it depends what the Marlins think. With Rortvedt about a year away, I see the Twins dealing Jeffers and picking up a Jason Castro type for a backup. The Marlins have an embarrassment of riches with young pitching and a black hole at catcher. Larnach is just the type of young hitter a team desperate for offense should take a chance on. I'd hate to part with Larnach, been a fan ever since I saw him get clutch hit after clutch hit in leading Oregon state to an NCAA baseball title. But his value is much higher than Kepler's, so Kepler is worth more to the Twins at his currently depressed value, making Larnach available. Maybe Max figures out what he needs to do to hit better, maybe not, but the Twins can't trade guys like Kepler or Buxton when their current value is so low. I trade Jeffers to the Marlins in a package for young SP.

I realize I am still a minority on this subject, but since I first started truly following the game in the mid '60's, and from what I hear and read decades before that, teams prioritized defense at SS and catcher. Corner infielders, corner outfielders, and sometimes 2nd or center would produce the pop; the two most demanding positions were considered SS and catcher and offense wasn't a first priority. Teams would have .180 and .190 hitters at these positions while their pitchers hit as well. In the '60's the Twins had 2 or 3 pretty good hitting pitchers I used to see pinch hit for position players in late or extra innings, the hitters were not as good but played the field, and the pitchers wouldn't have it any other way. Now, in the AL, we have hitters who do nothing but, so teams are even more capable of keeping the gloves they need. The concept that Simmons has hurt the team is bizarre to me. A .220 hitting exceptional glove, and yes, he is still an exceptional glove, is more than acceptable on a team that is what? 2nd in the league in home nuns and middle of the pack in almost all other offensive categories? If we had a manager who knew anything about manufacturing runs.......arrgg, don't get me started. The only problem I have ever seen with Simmons is his price tag. He needs to come down, and he will after this season, but an affordable Simmons is better than moving Polanco OR taking a flyer on an unproven rookie. The infield needs stability, and constant moving parts are killing us. Keep this group together, and everyone will be more comfortable with each other. And Simmons will pick up the pace; his career record suggests this year was the anomaly, not the norm. (although I might spell Sano on the field a little more often) Don't get me wrong, if we can pick up a top tier SS on the open market, by all means. But the kind of money I see bantered about day in and day out being spent on payroll, isn't as realistic as people would like to believe after 2 straight years of huge losses, as well as a new CBA looming. Put the money into pitching, and keep the gloves behind them and where they belong, not moving around the field like musical chairs. We have enough talent to cover the flaws as we stand today; keep moving the parts and the crap shoot continues. Oh, and did I say we should put our money into pitching? If not, we should put our money into pitching.

Just a few thoughts from the analysis (great work and thought put into it)... 1.) They have been Sean Johnson's drafts. He is the scouting director and responsible for drafting. Falvey provides a framework and some of the thought process. He has encouraged the scouting department to work with the player development and communicate between the departments. 2.) The Twins don't and shouldn't care what any other rating system puts for their rankings. They should trust their scouts and evaluators (dozens) over 2-4 people at sites like MLB.com, Baseball America or any other site think. 3.) The two "Huge Reach" guys with some playing time (Jeffers and Steer) sure look like good picks ot this point. 4.) Injuries are always a factor, unfortunately. It will be good to look at this analysis in 3-4 more years when we'll know a lot more about all of these players.

We all need to click Like on this blog post of Brock's so that he can keep the prize he so clearly esteems.

You make a great point. The Twins have always spent for "QUANTITY" not "QUALITY." It's like Slick Rick of the Vikings always trading back to accumulate more and more 6th and 7th rounders instead of just drafting Tyler Johnson (#3 WR spot SOLVED) when he was sitting there. I GUARANTEE the Twins, if they spend the money on bringing Max Scherzer here, he will be worth every penny !! Now I get that Max would be crazy not to just stick with the Dodgers who will pay him more and give him a better chance for a World Series ring, but that's not my point. The point is, when you spend on QUALITY you lessen the risk. The wins and innings that kind of SP/RP give you add up to tremendous value for what you spent. Honestly, I don't know why this FO doesn't understand that. I thought they were brought here to replace the antiquated thinking of the Terry Ryan regime. Maybe this is a Pohlad "thing." It's hard to understand how the Twins have never figured this out.

It's an absolutely ridiculous tweet. Makes no sense. Viola has no idea. He's had nothing to do wit with the organization for like 30 years. He's been whining about the Twins since they hired someone else to be their pitching coach (clearly a good decision). So what he says doesn't confirm anything. What's his purpose in the tweet? Who is he upset at? Falvey because he didn't hire him? Not baseball people? Falvey has been around the game for a long time. Played in college, scouted, worked in a variety of front office roles. Levine was the assistant GM of a couple of World Series teams in Texas. He's also been in a variety of roles. Rocco Baldelli has done pretty much everything in the game over the past 20+ years. The team has won. This year, the pitching and the injuries just became too much. The previous front office hadn't won for a long time either. The player development at that time was a big question mark. And, frankly, Viola was part of the 1987 and 1988 teams that won, but he was also part of the 1982-1986 teams that lost a lot of games with 'baseball people."

"We live in the greatest country on earth." I love my country, but statistics just say that isn't true and in many cases it is not close. Here are some rankings to check out from a 2019 study/ranking published in US News & World Report that ranked 80 countries in 75 different metrics (from a survey of 20,000 across the globe) https://www.newsweek.com/worlds-best-countries-us-not-top-five-1300813: Perceptions of Trustworthiness by other countries - 27 Healthcare - 10 Food - 11 Wine - 7 Citizenship - 16 Quality of Life - 17 Ranked outside of top 20 in: Heritage; Best Countries for Solo Travel; Best Countries to Invest in; Best Countries for a comfortable retirement; Best Countries to start a career. The only things the USA ranked one in are military strength (of course, when your military budget equals that of the next seven total, it should probably be good); and number of citizens in prison. It's important to have pride in your country, but the statistics show the United States of America has a lot of room for improvement.

Getting a major league ready position player who fills a current need, for a unheralded pitcher in rookie ball is a no-brainer.

That’s not actually true though. Every team in baseball would want a prospect that talented in their system. No team is going to take a 20 year old who struggled at Low-A and put them on their active roster for a full season.

Considering Brian Dozier got a bigger contract with Washington, the Twins did pretty good. The thought of Schoop being more than a stopgap...naw. At best, he could've been a tradable asset in July, but because of the team's standing it didn't happen. He is still young and rebuilt his career a bit. Should be able to land a decent multi-year contract, but not with the Twins. A good signing. Didn't cost you anything but money.

I disagree with this article and all those calling for Rosie to be traded. He drove in 109 runs and hit 32 homers. Does anyone really think one of the rookies will replace those numbers? He is a bad ball, low ball hitter. He doesn't hit for high average. So what? He makes plays. I know he has some moments when you think he may be dogging it, but he played a good part of the year on bad wheels. I would trade the prospects before this guy. I know they look like the shinier pebbles right now, but that is all just speculation. Rosie has proven he can play at the major league level, which is more than you can say for the prospects. Plus, he is a difference maker. When he is healthy, and comes up with runners on, I expect something good is gonna happen. Twins hit him 4th. That means they are high on him. But if they trade him to the Yanks, he will hit 45 homers

I'm not sure what more you are expecting. They have people down there covering some parts of it and writing stories. If you use the forums there is more than enough coverage (Kepler included) to get information from individuals writing on their own who are down their in FM or just following from afar. Also, this is more of a fan blog than a sports journalism site. The site owners do not have the access that credentialed sports journalists do, yet in my opinion, spew out 10+ times the information and coverage the newspapers do.

It's not football. There is no restructuring of contracts. Yes, they will pay him $23 million for the next 3 seasons. (unless he retires and they do some buyout or something) Also, you essentially said that he has coasted since signing the contract... but remind me what he was hitting when he went down with the concussion? Also, you say he's essentially coased