Official Twins Winter Meetings Day 3 Thread

david price is the twins best chance for "impact pitching" at this point. red sox have clearly signaled they want to shed payroll so them eating some salary for prospects could work. 

We learned today that the Minnesota Twins will NEVER be or TRY to be one of the ALs elite teams.. as a twins fan we’ve been punished with mediocrity for far too long.. and for some reason we’re rewarding Falvey and Levine? For what getting lucky ona couple things, having players play out of their shoes for an entire season, and down right refuse fo spend money.. why are we rewarding them again? We should be rewarding the players if anything not be trying to dump them off like Rosario.. crazy

Bumgarner to Dodgers, Ryu and Keuchel to the Angels right? Then who's left?

We learned today that the Minnesota Twins will NEVER be or TRY to be one of the ALs elite teams.. as a twins fan we’ve been punished with mediocrity for far too long.. and for some reason we’re rewarding Falvey and Levine? For what getting lucky ona couple things, having players play out of their shoes for an entire season, and down right refuse fo spend money.. why are we rewarding them again? We should be rewarding the players if anything not be trying to dump them off like Rosario.. crazy

As long as MLB operates the way it does unlike the NBA, NFL and NHL where salary caps are in place, only a select few big market teams will continue to dominate.To whine is based on feelings not facts.

I'm becoming less and less optimistic that the Twins will acquire an "impact arm" for the rotation. I still think a trade is more likely than a free agent signing, but I'm starting to feel pessimistic on all fronts at this point. Other teams have been active in recent weeks, but not the Twins. Sigh. The beat goes on.

Bumgarner to Dodgers, Ryu and Keuchel to the Angels right? Then who's left?

https://twitter.com/aarongleeman/status/1204634250554699776

 

Very few “impact” pitchers left.

The way that things have fallen in free agency, I have a feeling that the Twins are going to trade for their "impact pitcher".   The usual names that are thrown out are Price and Darvish, but I wonder if the Twins could go in a different direction.   The Padres want out of Myer's contract and are willing to part with prospect capital.   Is it a blind dream to wish for a trade of Arraez for Myer and Gore?   Gore would be the type of impact pitcher that we need desperately, but can never lure to MN in free agency.   Myer could man 1st base.   The Padres escape Myer's contract and have a long term solution at 2nd base.

So far the only new face on the team is a backup catcher.

 

The Twins are like those would-be travelers who always wanted to go to Europe, but can't find a cheap flight in July. So they put it off until next year. "Too expensive", they'll say. At some point you've got to just open your wallet and pay full price or you'll never go.

 

Twins have to understand that they're going to have to pay market value for talent in order to compete. The Wheeler miss was big. It sounds like Bumgartner isn't interested, and I'm guessing Ryu's statement was only released in order to give him a little more leverage with those West Coast teams.

 

The White Sox and Cubs are upper midwest and they've grabbed plenty of big names in the past via free agency. Houston was an MLB backwater 10 years ago. Money and winning culture go a long way.

 

We learned today that the Minnesota Twins will NEVER be or TRY to be one of the ALs elite teams.. as a twins fan we’ve been punished with mediocrity for far too long.. and for some reason we’re rewarding Falvey and Levine? For what getting lucky ona couple things, having players play out of their shoes for an entire season, and down right refuse fo spend money.. why are we rewarding them again? We should be rewarding the players if anything not be trying to dump them off like Rosario.. crazy

 

I don't understand how we 'learned anything' yesterday, other than that the Twins (like most of MLB) cannot spend like the Yankees - you just learned this? 

I wanted a pony when I was a kid, but I didn't get one either. 

 

As long as MLB operates the way it does unlike the NBA, NFL and NHL where salary caps are in place, only a select few big market teams will continue to dominate.To whine is based on feelings not facts.

Tell me how the salary cap has kept teams like the Lakers from acquiring James and Davis or Houston getting Harden and Westbrook or ...

 

The NBA is a league of have and have nots.  

There really is no way to make players want to go to teams in cities that they do not relate to.  We were lucky to have Mauer be a hometown boy despite the anguish fans had over his contract. In the championship years we brought home Winfield, Molitor, and Morris.  Where is the next great Minnesotan?

 

MadBum is a liar. He wants to pitch in the National league so he can PITCH to NL pitchers....not so he can hit against them. Such a crock.

 

This feels like another Lance Lynn situation. A good pitcher with an attitude = bad results.

 

So long MadBum. Have fun with the Dodgers.

 

How about a clever sign-and-trade with the Dodgers -  MadBum for some Dodger bullpen talent?? That might be too clever. Never mind.

I like the Marlins Caleb Smith trade idea, and I like a buy low on Teheran. I hope we don't overpay for Ryu - he isn't the healthiest guy out there. In response to mikelink, I think Wallner is our next homegrown star. Hope to see him in 2021. 

We learned today that the Minnesota Twins will NEVER be or TRY to be one of the ALs elite teams.. as a twins fan we’ve been punished with mediocrity for far too long.. and for some reason we’re rewarding Falvey and Levine? For what getting lucky ona couple things, having players play out of their shoes for an entire season, and down right refuse fo spend money.. why are we rewarding them again? We should be rewarding the players if anything not be trying to dump them off like Rosario.. crazy

What's crazy is some Twins fans' expectations. Did you read the article above where he talks about how the Twins are out of luck through no fault of their own? I mean, Bumgarner wants to hit and then we hear "down right refuse fo spend money". Wha? You assessment appears to be way off base. They just can't compete with the big markets. Not their fault.

 

"why are we rewarding them again?" They won 101 games last year! Sheesh

 

I hope they dump Rosario! He's not good. Put that 8.9 mil towards pitching.

Disappointment is natural but this fan from 1961 always keeps hope moving forward, sometimes despite all odds. There are still options, albeit reduced from last week.

Ryu, Wood, and Teheran can be signed. I would advocate not going over the top on these three. The trade front is still possible too. There aren't any aces to be handed out but the Twins should be able to turn something over with any luck. Archer and Price should be available for less than any top prospects. Maybe Miami will talk about Alcantara or Smith. The next stage would be difficult - trades from players on the current starting roster. Sano, Gonzalez, and May to Atlanta for Fried, Pache, and Wright; Garver, Buxton, and Berrios to San Diego for Paddock, Gore, Patina, Mejia, and Hedges; and this sort of craziness. I'm hoping the Twins can hold the core and prospects while adding two or three of Ryu, Teheran, and Wood. Something everyone agrees on is that the team needs a couple more pitchers.

 

The way that things have fallen in free agency, I have a feeling that the Twins are going to trade for their "impact pitcher".   The usual names that are thrown out are Price and Darvish, but I wonder if the Twins could go in a different direction.   The Padres want out of Myer's contract and are willing to part with prospect capital.   Is it a blind dream to wish for a trade of Arraez for Myer and Gore?   Gore would be the type of impact pitcher that we need desperately, but can never lure to MN in free agency.   Myer could man 1st base.   The Padres escape Myer's contract and have a long term solution at 2nd base.

 

Not blind, but very misplaced. 

 

Why would the twins TAKE ON a bad salary in exchange for (Someone fill in how many cheap years we have left) of Arreaz?

 

That just doesnt make any sense....Twins would be getting fleeced by a factor of 6. 

 

Did anyone else find this interesting? 

Latest on free agent LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu. He said there's no truth to report coming out of Minnesota that he wants to stay on the West Coast. 

 

So, why is a report like this originating here in Minnesota and not with someone associated with Ryu? Who originated this report and for what purpose?

 

This is a new wrinkle this season, that it's not "budget constraints" causing the team's inactivity, but suddenly no one wants to play in Minnesota. 

I don't want to hear about market size, players like Yasmani Grandal will sign with the Brewers if the money is right. Is it the climate? Players don't need to live hear year-round to play for the Twins, and summers here are just as good if not better than New York or Boston. 

 

 

The Twins are who we thought they were. Anyone surprised by the Twins not involving themselves in high priced players (don't give me the "They are supposedly in on Bum & Ryu" non-sense) are as gullible as it gets.

 

We will get to enjoy Alex Wood and some 4th starter from the Marlins or Mariners in 2020. Can't wait!

Looking at Porcello's career, he seems to alternate good years with bad years. 

 

He's due for a good year in 2020. How about a nice 1 year deal? 

 

He will turn 31 this month.

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/porceri01.shtml

 

I like the Marlins Caleb Smith trade idea, and I like a buy low on Teheran. I hope we don't overpay for Ryu - he isn't the healthiest guy out there.  

I used to be partners in a fantasy league with a guy in the late 90's.    I wanted to get Mark McGwire and my buddy said "No, he's too injury prone".    I said I don't know from injury prone but he's healthy right now and no reason other than that label to think he wouldn't continue to be healthy.     We didn't draft him which cost us 135 homers over the next two years.     Healthy is as healthy does.    I always say Cal Ripken was a bad plant on a double play (broken leg) and a bad bounce on a foul ball (broken toe) from being called injury prone.   Ryu pitched 187 innings last year and as far as I know ended the year healthy.   In my mind that makes him just as likely to miss time to injury next year as Gerrit Cole.

 There are still options, albeit reduced from last week.

Ryu, Wood, and Teheran can be signed. I would advocate not going over the top on these three. The trade front is still possible too. There aren't any aces to be handed out but the Twins should be able to turn something over with any luck. 

Kind of baffles me how Cole at a 2.5 ERA, Strasburg with a 3.32 ERA and to a slightly less extent Wheeler with a 3.96 ERA and Bumgarner with a 3.9 ERA can be considered aces but a guy with a 2.32 ERA and a FIP better than any of those besides Cole is not considered an ace.   

Caleb Smith has some upside, but he's not one of Miami's young pitchers (he's 28). He only seems young because he hasn't been in MLB that long. He also doesn't move the needle in a significant way, IMO. He may produce similarly to 2019 Perez - sometimes good, other times fairly bad.

 

Did anyone else find this interesting? 

Latest on free agent LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu. He said there's no truth to report coming out of Minnesota that he wants to stay on the West Coast. 

 

So, why is a report like this originating here in Minnesota and not with someone associated with Ryu? Who originated this report and for what purpose?

 

This is a new wrinkle this season, that it's not "budget constraints" causing the team's inactivity, but suddenly no one wants to play in Minnesota. 

I don't want to hear about market size, players like Yasmani Grandal will sign with the Brewers if the money is right. Is it the climate? Players don't need to live hear year-round to play for the Twins, and summers here are just as good if not better than New York or Boston. 

 

 

I have these same concerns. Don't believe in the climate excuse at all. The Twins have a long standing preconception of not paying top dollar, so perhaps agents steer their clients away from the organization? Does Falvey and Levine already have a reputation for offering below market value contracts?

Not sure where to put this, but Danny Salazar is also a free agent. Is he done? Is some team going to take a flier on him for next to nothing? 

 

Did anyone else find this interesting? 

Latest on free agent LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu. He said there's no truth to report coming out of Minnesota that he wants to stay on the West Coast. 

 

So, why is a report like this originating here in Minnesota and not with someone associated with Ryu? Who originated this report and for what purpose?

 

This is a new wrinkle this season, that it's not "budget constraints" causing the team's inactivity, but suddenly no one wants to play in Minnesota. 

I don't want to hear about market size, players like Yasmani Grandal will sign with the Brewers if the money is right. Is it the climate? Players don't need to live hear year-round to play for the Twins, and summers here are just as good if not better than New York or Boston. 

Yet apparently we're morons for believing the Twins would put a PR spin on their refusal to spend what it takes to land top talent.  

Bumgarner to Dodgers, Ryu and Keuchel to the Angels right? Then who's left?

That's what I would do if I was the Angels....

 

The way that things have fallen in free agency, I have a feeling that the Twins are going to trade for their "impact pitcher".   The usual names that are thrown out are Price and Darvish, but I wonder if the Twins could go in a different direction.   The Padres want out of Myer's contract and are willing to part with prospect capital.   Is it a blind dream to wish for a trade of Arraez for Myer and Gore?   Gore would be the type of impact pitcher that we need desperately, but can never lure to MN in free agency.   Myer could man 1st base.   The Padres escape Myer's contract and have a long term solution at 2nd base.

Yes, it's a blind dream.

 

Gore is pretty much untouchable. They wouldn't trade him for Syndergaard. They're definitely not going to use him to dump Myers.

 

You could possibly look lower on their prospect list for a match, although they already moved Urias (for another young player).

Ryu like all these players has an agent.  He will include the Twins if it means additional leverage

It is not surprising at how "impact pitchers" are not wanting to come here since they know they probably would be just rentals. The Twins have a tendency to simply dump off players at an alarming rate. Players have no stability with this team and the owners are cheap.

 

I have read the whole we have 101 wins...yah well we had a really really weak central division and we got slaughtered again in the playoffs.

 

This team is going to be medicore up until the Pohlads sell the team. By medicore I mean doing zero in the playoffs due to lack of pitching.

 

Caleb Smith has some upside, but he's not one of Miami's young pitchers (he's 28). He only seems young because he hasn't been in MLB that long. He also doesn't move the needle in a significant way, IMO. He may produce similarly to 2019 Perez - sometimes good, other times fairly bad.

 

I'd also like to know why he lost 1.5 MPH on his velocity last year. 

 

I might still be interested though.

 

As long as MLB operates the way it does unlike the NBA, NFL and NHL where salary caps are in place, only a select few big market teams will continue to dominate.To whine is based on feelings not facts.

You mean like all that parity they have in the NFL, NBA and NHL?  There has been more different champions in MLB than any other sport (almost combined)