Twins Video
That being said, the Twins did land two arms that Falvey and company are excited about.
“I think the jewel of what we got back was the high-upside pitching,” he said. “I think that we’ve acquired at least two guys in these trades that we think have the chance to be upper-end starters in Jhoan Duran, who carried a no-hitter in Cedar Rapids into the seventh [Monday] who has real power stuff, and then Jorge Alcala, who is now one of our top prospects in terms of pitching at the Double-A level. Some impact, power arms. That’s what we’re going to need to compete with the best in the league.”
Pitching prospects are notoriously volatile and the attrition rate is high but it doesn't hurt to stockpile as many as you can. I mean, even Alcala was immediately placed on the DL with a tricep strain. Still, given their ages and radar readings, both Duran and Alcala are sexy AF right now. Until they are not. Remember when the Twins traded for Alex Meyer? So -- for now -- these arms are sexy.
In addition to the trades, Falvey was also pressed about the team's future, especially in light of the numerous expiring contracts, leaving the Twins with an estimated $30 million-to-$55 million coming off the payroll heading into 2019.
“With the blessing of the Pohlad family, we have had real opportunities in the free-agent market over the last year-plus,” Falvey said. “I anticipate with some of the expiring contracts that we have and the flexibility that we have around payroll, we’re going to be creative in this free-agent market and see what opportunities present.”
It's a non-answer answer but an obvious one. Will the Twins be active in the free agent market this offseason? Sure, why not? Will they target someone they want to sign to a long-term deal or will they try to piecemeal creative one-year deals with various options? Who knows?
The 2018 season was disappointing, yes. There were high expectations. Hell, I would have lost my house hammering the over on the Vegas-set 83-win mark had I followed through with my own proclamation. Now, based on Baseball Prospectus' current projections, the Twins are currently on a 76-win pace and even that feels like a best-case scenario going forward.
This does not mean 2019 will be a continuation of this dreck. The team still has a young, talented core albeit one that stumbled this season. Eddie Rosario, Jose Berrios, Max Kepler, Jorge Polanco, Byron Buxton (when not hurt) and Miguel Sano (when properly conditioned and not hurt) are still a solid foundation. Find the right combination of bodies to add to that mix and you can have yourself a contender quickly.
For their part the front office is trying to build a sustainable model. The long-term goal means loading the system with potential impact players, putting the right development process in place, and begin cranking out guys who can contribute when the window closes on the current core. In the interim, depending on the expiring contract decision, the Twins have a base and flexibility to potentially reload as a contender for next season.
As you follow along with the development of the prospects as well as the team, remember, progress is never a straight line.
MORE FROM TWINS DAILY
— Latest Twins coverage from our writers
— Recent Twins discussion in our forums
— Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email
— Become a Twins Daily Caretaker
Recommended Comments
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.