Twins

There wasn’t much news about the impending CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) situation this week, but Rob Manfred sure made it substantial when speaking to wrap up the quarterly owner's meetings.

Thanksgiving is behind us, Black Friday is upon us, and a work stoppage could commence as soon as next week. There’s been some movement regarding the Major League Baseball CBA discussion the last few days, so let’s get you caught up.

It’s been eight days since our last update, which not coincidentally came at the commencement of Major League Baseball deciding to lock out its players. After a flurry of moves in the leadup, we’ve now experienced the darkness of a league conducting no business.

Justin Verlander no-hit the Twins through six innings as the Twins were dominated by the Astros. Rocco Baldelli was ejected, Byron Buxton hit the IL, and Cole Sands exited the game after being hit by a comebacker on a rough day for Minnesota.

Each of the past two seasons, the AL Central Division winner has faced the Houston Astros. For the second straight season, Dusty Baker’s club has had the upper hand. Is there more to it than circumstance?

You might have heard the news already, but Yu Darvish followed Chris Gimenez and signed with the Chicago Cubs. There are many contingencies. But at this point, a trade may make more sense for the Twins than signing any of the remaining free agents. There are several trade targets that should be considered. Today, we consider Astros right-hander Collin McHugh.

There are still the bigger named free agents from this year’s class, Jake Arrieta, Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb. Signing any of them would cost the Twins their third draft pick in 2018. There are the third-tier free agent pitchers like Jaime Garcia and Jason Vargas. They won’t cost a draft pick, but there is minimal upside. There are several other free agent starters that are back end of the rotation types at best.

They were never supposed to be here to begin with.

I find it important to remind myself of this as I absorb the massive gut punch delivered by Minnesota's rapid fall from contention in the American League Central. This team, fresh off a 103-loss season, gave us all a hell of a ride by hanging around the top of the division for the better part of four months, and even spending six weeks in first place.

This summer has been infinitely more fun than the last for baseball fans. I appreciate that. Still, watching it all come crashing down in spectacular fashion, it's hard not to feel a sense of familiar dread.

Last week, the Minnesota Twins announced that they would not be activating the contract option for Glen Perkins, making him a free agent. Matt Belisle will soon join him.

At that point, the Twins will have a total of three major-league saves on their entire roster (one apiece for Trevor Hildenberger, Tyler Duffey and Gabriel Moya). If experience is at all a weighty factor for this team, then we have a pretty clear idea of what they'll be looking for on the relief market.

When facing an opposing pitcher such as Justin Verlander, falling behind early is not an ideal strategy. For the second time this week (and ever), the Twins employed the “Opener” concept in Tuesday night’s game. This time, it was Trevor May who started and was replaced in the second inning by the “primary” pitcher, Kohl Stewart, who went to high school at St. Pius X high school, a ten mile commute from Minute Maid Park.

Brandon Kintzler was signed to a minor league deal, became a closer, became an All-Star, and now the Twins have traded him to the Washington Nationals.

In return, the Twins will receive 20-year-old left-handed pitcher Tyler Watson. Watson is a late-teens prospect, depending upon which site you look at. The Twins also received $500,000 in International signing bonus money in the deal.

Clayton Kershaw. Dallas Keuchel. Rich Hill. Justin Verlander.

These veteran studs, with their ace-type profiles and plentiful big-game experience, were tabbed by Houston and Los Angeles to start Games 1 and 2 of the World Series. Each played a major role in getting his team to the big stage.

The Twins' deficiency in this area is the biggest reason it's hard to view them as serious contenders to make their own deep October run next year.

What can they do about it?

The Astros have an incredible lineup. They play strong defense. Their starting rotation is remarkable. Their bullpen is deep and strong. And, Alex Bregman cannot be stopped. Or at least the Twins couldn’t find a way all series.

Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler each had two hits, and Willians Astudillo homered for the Twins.