ESPN Report: Twins Could Be Mystery Team for Harper, Machado

I'd love for them to spend big, but I think Kimbrel would be best move. Here's why.

Let's compare Twins vs. Indians:

• Starting Rotation: Indians (You can't beat their rotation, but you can have a competitive rotation. The Twins have that in Berrios, Gibson, Odorizzi, Pineda-tell me the last time the Twins rotation had this many trustworthy veteran names)
• Bullpen: Twins (Indians have Hand and that's it. The Twins might have a Brad Hand in Taylor Rogers. Statistically, he was one of the best relievers in the game last year. They also have Trevor May, who has been REALLY GOOD as a reliever. Reed, Hildenberger, Moya, and Parker serve as middle relievers who might face high leverage situations, but you move them up by acquiring Kimbrel. 6th-Parker/Hildenberger/Reed/Moya, 7th-May, 8th-Rogers, 9th-Kimbrel. By signing Kimbrel, you turn a Twins positional advantage into a dominant advantage in a similar way that the Indians rotation is a dominant advantage. Additionally, by acquiring Kimbrel, your bullpen is more competitive with the Yankees, Red Sox, Astros, A's, Rays, and Indians. It would be better than Cleveland's, better than Boston's, better than Tampa's and better than Houston's. Yeah, the Yankees and A's have better pens, but you can be more competitive bullpen wise by signing Kimbrel)
• Lineup: Tie (Indians have Lindor and Ramirez, but Twins have better 1-9)

It would take tremendous improvement to approach Cleveland's rotation and positionally, you're full offensively. However, the bullpen isn't full, you have money, and you can turn an advantage into a dominant advantage by signing Kimbrel for your pen.

What is your basis for saying this?

(FWIW, any long term deal he signs will include an opt out. He'll have plenty of incentive to keep performing even if he wants to leave.)

Watched him play in the Series. He was a FA after the Series, which should have given Machado huge incentive to play his guts out. He didn't. 

Plus, looked at other things he's done. 

i've seen a couple of people, don't remember who are when, say they think Machado, because of the way he handled himself in the Series, played himself out of a big long-term contract.

Grain of salt and all that.

And even without an opt out, he's young enough to get another big contract after this one. He has plenty of incentive to perform.

All eyes were on Machado during the Series and Machado knew he was hitting the FA market after the Series. 

Instead, Machado played like a punk and possibly damaged his chances at a big contract.

I would think the Series should have been an incentive to step up and perform. Didn't happen,.

You think Machado didn't try in the World Series? He had a bad 5 games. He's a talented player, but he can't simply will himself to have a good performance any time he wants.

I understand concerns about Machado's style of play, but this seems like quite a stretch.

I don't like the idea of a long term contract for Machado. However, big money, short term, limits risk.

Everything is a trade-off.

I'm willing to accept Machado coming here on a short term big money deal. No way I want the Twins to sign Machado for 10 years.

Which sort of got lost in the shuffle.

Also, one cannot look at Machado's Series in isolation. Rather, it is part and parcel of Machado's history of questionable play.

Failing to perform in sports, especially over small sample sizes, doesn't mean the player wasn't trying to perform.

I mean, with all due respect, it's preposterous to me to suggest that a pending FA, in the World Series, wasn't trying.

I don't like the idea of a long term contract for Machado. However, big money, short term, limits risk.

Everything is a trade-off.

I'm willing to accept Machado coming here on a short term big money deal. No way I want the Twins to sign Machado for 10 years.

Which sort of got lost in the shuffle.

Also, one cannot look at Machado's Series in isolation. Rather, it is part and parcel of Machado's history.

Too lazy to say the same thing with different words, so you get recycled words.

If the Twins actually make an offer for either guy the agent is only using the Twins hoping that they put in a high bid just to make something for another team to beat.

Only way either player signs with MN would be because of greed. Not because they feel the Twins have the best chance to win a World Series.

There is this button labeled MultiQuote. You should give it a spin.

Nah, I'm an old fashioned kind of blog guy. This new-fangled stuff is just a fad.

No Machado ever in a T'ins uniform. Not for this long time fan.