Twins Know Winning Trumps Fun in Dealing Arraez

I'll have to wait and see the twins play before I can proclaim them winners ... 

They have depth at every position  except maybe the bullpen  , we'll see how they put that together in spring training 

This was a very good move by the FO. Trading Arraez was the best move at the end of the day. Trading a player that was worth the most he may ever be worth right now is the best move we could have done. 

He's a player without a set position, little power, and no speed. He can play, but his intangibles leave little be desired. 

Agree Ted. In Minnesota, “butts in the seats” is more a function of winning than in a lot of/most other markets.  So winning trumps everything.

Having said that, losing with a boring team…..well that is the worst possible scenario. If the Twins don’t compete, Lopez, no matter how he pitches, cannot save kick save attendance from the likes of Gallo, Kepler, Taylor, Farmer and an out-of-the-lineup Buxton.

As they say, “you pay your money, and you take your chances”. 

23 minutes ago, mac098 said:

This was a very good move by the FO. Trading Arraez was the best move at the end of the day. Trading a player that was worth the most he may ever be worth right now is the best move we could have done. 

He's a player without a set position, little power, and no speed. He can play, but his intangibles leave little be desired. 

well, I'd say his intangibles were great. Good dude, popular with the fans and the team, entertaining style of play, etc. His lack of speed and true position other than "hitter" are pretty tangible.

I'm still bummed to see him go, even though I think it's a very reasonable trade.

If Kirilloff's wrist is finally right (and it's a big if) though, then I'm pretty excited. His last truly healthy season, he absolutely destroyed A-ball at age 20. Last season (in a small sample) he obliterated AAA pitching, even while rehabbing and trying to get the wrist figured out. he hit pretty well as a rookie in 2021 before the wrist gave out. he holds up fine as a LH hitter against LHP. I've always been a fan. 

The success of this trade will be based on how two players perform in 2023 and beyond.

First, will Lopez be at least a solid #2?  

And second, how will AK perform as hopefully, their starting first baseman?  If finally healthy, he can push the results of this trade onto the positive side of the ledger.

That last paragraph is all I have to cling to. I’m very frustrated that this happened or even had to happen, and we traded an proven player for someone that we hope will be great.  

10 hours ago, Karbo said:

This is why the Twins should start Buxton for all home games unless he's hurt. If they want rest him do it on the road!

I started to like this but then i realized i live near Angels stadium.  Buxton needs to play on the road in warm climate areas too.

Winning solves a LOT of problems , including attendence!!!!!

I like the off season so far and will love it if they can add a solid LK pen piece.

I love how Arraez plays old school baseball, something in short supply today with the focus on home runs and exit velocity. But the trade makes sense because of Arraez’ one tool, hitting for average and an on base machine. I was expecting the Twins would have to include some other pretty good prospect too, but the reverse happened and we got two highly regarded, though young,  Miami prospect instead. That’s a very good return IMO. 

22 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

well, I'd say his intangibles were great. Good dude, popular with the fans and the team, entertaining style of play, etc. His lack of speed and true position other than "hitter" are pretty tangible.

I'm still bummed to see him go, even though I think it's a very reasonable trade.

If Kirilloff's wrist is finally right (and it's a big if) though, then I'm pretty excited. His last truly healthy season, he absolutely destroyed A-ball at age 20. Last season (in a small sample) he obliterated AAA pitching, even while rehabbing and trying to get the wrist figured out. he hit pretty well as a rookie in 2021 before the wrist gave out. he holds up fine as a LH hitter against LHP. I've always been a fan. 

BIG IF is correct with Kirilof - he had career saving surgery. Fingers crossed!! If he can’t get on the field we’ll have to roll with Gallo.

Still sensitive about Arraez trade. I see you are “bummed” to.

Signing a free agent pitcher with 2-3 years of control and having Arraez in our lineup made most sense to me. Always risk with pitchers & health!

I just don’t like that many contributors here feel the need to tear down Arraez capabilities to justify winning the Trade. If CC doesn’t sign he’s no question our biggest contributor on offense.

Arraez was up for Gold Glove at 1B! ……he played some 2B & DHed

I could name tons of good hitters with not great speed……….how about Morneau & Mauer. I believe Arraez would hit just as many HR & doubles as Joe if he batted 3rd & his job wasn’t just “to get on base”.

Arraez hit .366 with RISP in ‘22.

Enough said - he’s in Miami and wish him well!

"After announcing discounted tickets, Luis Arraez was traded, and fans now have voices with dollars again"

what does this even mean

Winning is the only thing……unless you get caught like the Astros. Seriously though, I hate Arraez isn’t on our roster but if we win 90 games, even if López is a minor contributor, I’m good.

Luis could have pulled a hamstring or messed up his knee in May………Lopez might have elbow surgery in July……..it’s a team game and basically, all I care about is the Team Winning. Probably, a pretty obvious statement but the details discussed here are for fun & all that matters are W’s.

i.e.:

I live in Cincinnati & have for 30 years  - got here year after the ‘90 Series Win. ………25,000 at the park routinely in ‘91…………That was the start of the Bengals worst W-L decade  of any other NFL team. Games were blacked out locally often due to seldom sold out games. Mike Brown makes Cal Griffith look like a big spender!!

Now, nobody goes to the Red’s games unless there’s fireworks or some Bobblehead giveaway - 40% of the daily attendance are not really at the games. Sometimes less than 7,000 - 10,000 actual people in the park, fairly often. The Bengals are on their way to 2nd straight Conference champ game. Can’t get Bengals tickets with unlimited budget.

It’s all about Winning!

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

I just don’t like that many contributors here feel the need to tear down Arraez capabilities to justify winning the Trade.

I don't care for it either. Many say he will never be worth more. What is the reasoning? His knee's or power. After spending the winter working out with Nelson Cruz his power numbers went up and he said near the end of the season that his knee's were pain free all season. He pulled a hamstring in the second half, his knee was'nt the problem. I think if he had a full healthy season 40 doubles and 12-15 homeruns are posible. I don't think his value is done going up. In my humble opinion winning a trade should not be the goal. If everyone gets what they traded for, the teams will be much more receptive to dealing with each other again.  All that said I do thik the trade was good and fair deal. I will miss seeing him play and hope he goes on to a long career.