Twins

Yesterday, Seth wrote more than 1700 words about spring training (1735; I counted), God bless him. I’m glad he has the patience for that stuff, because I sure don’t. We focus on spring training because there’s nothing else to focus on that matters. But, really, when we pretend that the outcomes matter even a little, we’re generally kidding ourselves.

Kidding ourselves like I was last week when I speculated that Ryan Sweeney might have a shot to make this team. In retrospect, of course he doesn’t. I was (and presumably remain) an idiot who was hoping that there was at least a little drama this spring. But, in reality, 24 of the 25 roster spots were essentially preordained coming into camp, with eleventy billion pitchers fighting it out for the last spot in the bullpen. A spot that probably won’t be worth more than a win above replacement over the course of 2016.

Yesterday, Nick Burdi was profiled as our #10 Twins prospect. Today, we continue working through our Top 20 Minnesota Twins Prospects Rankings with our choice for the #9 prospect.

When the Twins used the fourth overall pick of the 2013 draft on Kohl Stewart, they were getting a tremendous athlete with a big arm. He was raw, a project with big potential. Now 21 and entering his third full season, Stewart is looking to turn some of his amazing tools into consistent skills. It’s a big year for the right-hander, but his upside remains high.

Yesterday, we looked at some of the Twins’ best relievers’ struggles with zero days rest. Is it time to consider scheduling the Twins' ace relievers into a rotation?

Before going forward, let me clearly lay out the system I’m envisioning. It’s a simple one. Just as five starting pitchers take turns doing the bulk duty from one game to the next, three top relievers should do the same.

Yesterday we examined what possible extensions might look like in the cases of Kurt Suzuki (more of a modification than anything) and Brian Dozier.

Overwhelmingly - and in no way surprisingly - the consensus is that the Twins would be wise to let Suzuki’s contract play out, hoping that the team can avoid him getting enough plate appearances for his option to vest.

Brian Dozier is coming off of his first year of a three-year deal that bought out no free agents years. Readers were less than enthused to tack on years to his deal either.

Let’s take a look at two new candidates today.

Yesterday was one of the largest whirlwinds the baseball world has ever seen. After the massive cancellations and postponements on March 11, Major League Baseball took action. Having been in Fort Myers intending to cover a baseball game, hypothetical tumbleweeds cross the Lee County Sports Complex. For the 2020 Twins however, this new reality presents two distinct positives.

Yesterday presented the most single-day baseball action we’ve seen all offseason. As the non-tender deadline came and went, teams needed to decide on which arbitration eligible players they’d issue new contracts to for the 2021 season. In total 56 new players became free agents yesterday. Now, are any of them fits for the Twins?

Yesterday I posed a question for readers about Trevor May, noting his spectacular numbers as a reliever and pondering whether the Twins should view him as a solution to their bullpen needs going forward.

The comments section featured a lively discussion and there wasn't much consensus on the best course of action. One thing did appear to to be unanimous, however, and has for some time: No one seems to want Ricky Nolasco in the 2016 rotation, blocking May or any other talented youngster.

Yesterday became a whirlwind as the hours and minutes counted down to the Twins making the first overall selection. No experts or reporters were able to crack the Twins front office and figure out who the club would be taking at the top of the draft. It really did feel like it was coming down to the wire.

Eventually, the Twins decided on prep shortstop Royce Lewis. He wasn't the highest ranked prospect on many draft boards so why did he end up in Minnesota? Did the Twins have a different plan with the first pick?

Yes, you read that title correctly. There are major league teams out there who are *willingly* doing work for the Twins and they don’t even know it! Can you believe this? Well, you probably don’t actually and even I, the person who did the research, am somewhat skeptical. Rest assured, there are no fibs here.

Yes, this article's title is a play on the name of Minnesota's latest free agent signing. But it's also a way to say that this slow-moving offseason is starting to heat up. It's time for the Twins to get moving.

Yes, it’s just two starts. But Kenta Maeda has looked good. Real good.

Yes, it happened again. The Minnesota Twins lost yet another playoff game, and in incredibly frustrating fashion. It could all be over tomorrow, as the Houston Astros are now in a position to eliminate the Twins with another victory.