The Latest on the Minnesota Twins and Carlos Correa

3 hours ago, Karbo said:

Reports in the Pioneer Press say he may be concerned about going through a rebuild.

I'm with him on that.  This is also likely the reason why free agents continue to ignore the Twins as a destination unless they, too, are in need of a rebuild -- i.e. Correa's brand, Paddack's stock, Gray's reputation as an "ace", Lynn's arm, etc.  

37 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

Then that leaves out the Cubs. They are in a far worse position than the Twins.

Agreed and I think the Giants also... Essentially, the CC comment either leads me to believe that there is, in fact, a large market contender calling -- i.e. all that Dodgers talk about not wanting him there because of 2017 is smoke, or the Yankees story might have teeth,  Or, he's using it as leverage to get the Twins to commit more.  Because, money talks and he has stated in the past that he likes it here.  Recall, when he opted out, he proclaimed in an interview that the Twins could get him, all they needed to do was pay him (paraphrased). 

The difference, of course, between the Cubs and Twins is that the Cubs -- apparently -- are a larger market team that can and is willing to spend.  

Time to move on from CC to pitching and catching.  We are out of our league here.

9 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Paddack and Gray were trade acquisitions, the players themselves had no say.

You don't say???? Wooooooow! 

7 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

I'm sorry, but Rogers was far from proven, imo. He had never been truly consistent and was coming off injuries. That's not to say I approved the trade (although I did at the time, if they had done more to then address the BP, that was always my concern). But Rogers, imo, was never a proven closer. And we are way better off than the Cubs are right now. So, it will be interesting, if the Cubs offer the most money and/or years, what he does. 

I understand where you are coming from, I suppose you are stating that Roger wasn't a true proven closer because he couldn't close back to back games. I agree that because of this fault he wasn't elite. But in his games that he close within his profile IMO he was very proven. And always believed he was and would have been very useful when used in that role with us.

Yes it'll be very interesting to see what happens. To see where pieces fall.

1 hour ago, ashbury said:

You're the one talking about free agents avoiding the Twins, not me.

No, you're the one nitpicking,  Point is, I was speculating about the reasons free agents might avoid the Twins -- because they seem to be in constant rebuild mode and are a good destination for players to come and rebuild themselves.  Whether it's true or not is worthy of discussion.  Obviously I know Paddack and Gray were trade acquisitions. I used them as an example of players that could reform themselves on the Twins' dime and bolt also. 

3 hours ago, Squirrel said:

I guess you and I look at rebuild differently. Imo, the team should always be looking to trade and acquire, no matter where they are. If you are rebuilding, you are trading off vets for prospects, when you are contending, you are trading off prospects for proven players, or trading proven players for better proven players. So, I don’t think what the Twins have done last year or this qualify as rebuild to me. That said, if Correa wants to avoid that, I think the Cubs are in a worse position as the Twins. And I also think he wants to make sure that the acquisitions made are to continue to contend vs selling off pieces for prospects for some future contention time years from now

I tend to agree that the Twins are in a better position right now than the Cubs and Giants.  And, I haven't read the article citing his comments, but I do recall him saying to the press when he opted out that he likes it here and if the Twins want him, they should come get him.  So, I am not sure how much stock I take in what is being said now -- likely all a negotiating tactic.  Having said all that, I do think the Cubs have shown more of a propensity to spend, so, again I am not in the mind of the man, but that could be part of what's gone into this thought process.

However, my main point is that I tend to agree with the sentiment.  They can't just sign Correa and expect to win the World Series.  They'll need to spend or make shrewd trades to upgrade their roster.  So, like Carlos, I am concerned about -- probably not a complete rebuild, but -- in the very least their inability to upgrade their roster to compete for a title. 

16 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

All fair. But I think the Twins have shown they are willing to go out and get players. They made some trades last year that we were mostly all excited about ... until we weren't because of injuries. Imo, go in on Correa, trade for a SP that is as good or better than Mahle, get a better BP piece or two ... that's a good commitment to show Correa. But, if it's truly only about money, then he may take the deals with the other places ... we'll see how high it goes. I'm not worried about not spending more in FA as many others are here are angsty about (I do NOT want to go all in and above for Rodon, for example) ... but I do want to see some trading before I start whining about the off season.

Looks like we agree on most things.  I do think, though, they have shown a history of signing retreads.  The Josh Donaldson signing was really the one that opened most people's eyes.  If you're Correa and you're deciding between the Dodgers, and the Twins or the Twins and the Yankees, and you want to win, of course you're choosing the big market teams.  The Cubs are -- apparently, because people keep saying it -- a big market team.  They just happen to be devoid of talent at the moment.  Again, I think it is all just a smokescreen and ultimately you and I can debate the point to which we feel the quality of moves have been made that "should" satisfy Correa, but, really it comes down to what moves he thinks are quality enough to entice him to stay.

I should probably read the source material -- but I'm not all that interested in the article, to be honest.  Because I see it as likely a negotiating ploy.  Having said that, I agree with him, I want to see them sign players and build around him.  In my mind, signing Correa and adding a guy like Chris Bassit or Nathan Eovaldi, or Andrew Benintendi, or Yuli Gurriel is within reason.  Signing Correa and Rodon would be amazing, but I'm less encouraged by his expectation of 7 years.  Point being, he doesn't want to sign and sit through a rebuild now or 5 years down the road, anymore than I do.  

40 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I think everyone is missing the sneaky secret angle here. If Correa is good enough, enough people will move to Minnesota just to watch him play in person, which will end up making Minnesota one of the major markets. Luxury tax threshold, here we come! Start investing in Twin City real estate, they U-Hauls are on their way.

Ha! This place is already too crowded for my liking... ?

On 12/11/2022 at 11:58 AM, bap3141 said:

 he has stated in the past that he likes it here. 

I take Correa's comments in this regard with a block of salt. A smart player will always, always talk positively about his current situation. That's why any mutual interest between CC and the Twins, whether actual or perceived, will boost the offers both from the Twins and from other teams.