Twins Select Brent Rooker, Landon Leach On Day 1

How?  Teams like the Twins can't/won't go out and spend for an ace in the free agent market.

If we exclude drafting/developing or buying an ace via FA market...

As I've heard others state, though I don't have evidence to support, there's a notion that a speedy up-the-middle defender with an ability to hit, has a better chance of staying healthy than most pitchers, and therefore also makes them more tradeable in the future.  Perhaps the Front Office is already making plans to trade for a guaranteed front-line starter in a couple years after our young position player talents develop.

But alas, I'm just speculating and throwing Falvey and Levine a bone that they know what they're doing.

While I can't say I understand the plan there must be one as Falvey seemed stressed about making sure the whole draft was successful not just the first few rounds.  They must be looking for and identified the type of players they think will be successful.

 

While there might not be a ton of great names left every year it seems several teams draft High Schoolers in the later rounds like 30 and beyond but don't have the pool money to convince them to sign.  Maybe they want more lottery picks like that.  You could take Rooker as an example.  They picked him at 38 but couldn't get him to sign.

 

I don't know what the plan but there has to be one.  If they got the first pick under slot and then the senior sign Rooker will be lucky to see half the money for his slot and the Canadian should be under slot too so there should be money to play with.  What they end up doing with it is hard to say at least right now.

Rooker is not a Senior, he has a year of eligibility left. 

Drafted as an outfielder.

I'm sure they will try him in a corner OF-- arm projects better to LF.  Don't be surprised if he end up at 1B.

Boras never gives a discount. I think you are correct. They must like him

Do you think, then, McKay was not willing to play the position the Twins wanted him to play? Perhaps they said all P or 1B, no two-way, but TB said he could DH on off-days and see how it goes? 

I'm sure this has been answered somewhere, but why did Rooker fall to 35 again? 

Age, and positional doubt would be my guess

One of the pre-draft articles argued (paraphrasing here) that Rooker was playing a position based on team need, but that he is more than capable of playing the corner outfield positions. 

 

 

edit - thanks for th info

Certainly possible, lots of players drop in the draft, doesn't mean they won't turn out to be All Stars.  I'd say the Yankees are happy Judge dropped to 32 (I'm guessing position / height was probably a big factor there)

I have no issue with Castro versus a very over rated Weiters and a recovering Ramos, but that is not my point.  He was a starting point for improvement and not the end point.  Not enough was done and our bullpen and rotation keeps proving it. 

Nobody saw us competing after not even winning 60 games... I don't think they wanted to block guys like Gonsalves/Romero/Mejia.... Bullpen yes shoulda been upgraded a little.. Gibson should be pitching better and Hughes is making a bunch of money...