bobs

Never hurts to dream. Exciting to think that he's just entering his prime.

If they want to stay LH-RH-LH, etc., could see Kepler sliding into 3 hole, with Cruz #4, Rosario #5 and Sano 6.

Winning a WS is exceedingly difficult for any market and even more difficult for a mid-market like the TC. I'm 52. It's been 29 years since the Twins won it. I watched every second of '87 and '91. It's been 30 years for a market like the Dodgers. It's tough. "World Series or Bust" is a dangerous mindset. I thoroughly enjoyed the 2000's and sharing those teams and players with my two sons. I agree that the FO can, and still should, make a move to help in 2020 w/o sacrificing future. I think they tried, but did it responsibly. Bottom line is this. With the current makeup of the 40-man and with how well-stocked the farm system seems to be, we should be excited about having good baseball at Target Field for the next decade, not wringing our hands over 30+ year old FAs that are far overpriced and will likely be a payroll liability down the road. If things align or a move is made that results in a WS title, that would be phenomenal. Either way, I'm going to enjoy this ride. Relax people. Sit back and enjoy the next 10 years at Target Field while this organization fields a division championship/WS contender quality team.

I think they've taken solid "swings" on guys like Wheeler, MadBum, Donaldson. What they aren't is willing to move prospects to build a team that can compete for a World Series

Here's what. Blockbuster....Arenado and Jon Gray come to Minnesota for whatever the heck the Rockies want....

Yeah, basically come away with Archer and Price for Rooker and Gordon. Now that it looks like Donaldson wont be coming (did we really think he was?), the $$ can be spent on Price and Mitch Moreland.

This would be.....highly disappointing, but also highly expected.

I've seen other ideas throwing around names like Buxton, Kirillof and Graterol in different potential trades. If we're going to throw those names around why not include guys like Trevor Bauer, Marcus Stroman and Blake Snell? No idea about "team control" or anything like that. Prospect cost would be high and I know Bauer and Stroman were just traded FOR. Can't hurt to go snooping around.

...any ideas what it'd possibly take to get Gray from Colorado? How about Alcantara?

Personally, I'd prefer the Archer and Boyd deals. More comfortable with the package Twins would give up and then depend on Wes Johnson to elevate either one. I love Syndergaard, but numbers and injuries give me pause when you're giving up guys like Buxton and Kirillof. Sale was dominant, but man that delivery. Injuries were bound to come calling sooner or later. I'd sooner take on 3yr/$60mil of Price's contract that give that up for Sale.

I'd love to see a Gray or Boyd added. If they can keep one of Larnach/Kirillof and use one in the trade I'm fine with that. I'm with you. I'd love to see it happen tomorrow. I just don't see it happening. I really think they're going to ride this group, thinking they can stay in contention and lower the price of the pitcher they acquire. I'm 100% on board with getting a guy that'll be around 2-3 years for sure. FO has done a great job replenishing the farm system. I'd like to see them use some of that talent to help the big club now.

Well, Dick and Bert talk a lot about how much Kepler reminds them of Justin Morneau, so there's that.

The motive behind the Bailey signing is pretty clear and Ted sums it up nicely. Angry Twins fans act like signing Bailey and Hill was the "impact" pitching the FO was hoping for. Simply put, the top FA pitchers weren't coming here as has been well-documented. This is the ultimate "stabilizing" move. They simply canNOT go into the season with Berrios, Odo and a mixture of Thorpe, Smeltzer, Dobnak, etc. until Pineda comes back. This at least buys them some time to try and make a trade and, to be honest, I don't expect that to happen until July. Until then, we'll see Berrios, Odo, Pineda in May, Thorpe, Smeltzer, Dobnak. Considering they have 20 games with Seattle, Toronto, KC and Detroit in the first six weeks, they may not need a better starter until July.

This is kind of our biggest fear coming true isn't it? The FO having so much confidence in their ability to develop pitching that they roll with one or more of Thorpe/Smeltzer/Dobnak in the rotation. I could be completely wrong, but Thorpe just seems to pass the eyeball test better than Smeltzer or Dobnak as anything more than a spot starter. Don't think any of them are game-changers though. If I had to bet, I'd say the FO is hedging bets and will roll out Berrios, Odo, Pineda, Bailey, Smeltzer, Dobnak, Thorpe for 3 months and then look to make a move at the deadline if needed. I'd be pleasantly shocked if a significant trade (Gray, Boyd, Archer, etc.) is made before Opening Day.

The new analytics have changed how we see a leadoff hitter. Arraez seems like the best fit for the more traditional model of the recent past with the exception of stolen bases, but that's a moot point since the Twins never run anwyay. He's also the best fit for the new more analytics-driven model. I would love to see Arraez and Polanco at the top of the order and let Kepler hit in an RBI spot (3-5). I'd keep Buxton at 9. Great to have his speed (when he gets on base) in front of guys like Arraez and Polanco when the lineup rolls over.

Do we have ANY idea how Kirilloff looked at 1B? Or Rooker? Are they realistic options at 1B for a team with WS aspirations?

I wonder if he's athletic enough to become a better 1B than Sano? Seems risky...took Mauer a couple years to become a good defensive 1B. We don't have a couple years and shaky defense at 1B and 3B? Well, let's hope Donaldson signs soon!

B/c in waiting on Donaldson, others are signing. If JD goes to Atlanta, it's going to be a scramble for the FO.

Moreland makes the most sense to me. Good defensive 1B compared to others listed here. He's a LH hitter so could possibly DH at times against tough RHP? Would allow Marwin to move around more like he did in 2019. Anyone know if Castellanos has ever played 1B? We know he isn't a good defensive player but is athletic enough he might be able to make the move. His bat will always play. Gonna be bad enough if they miss out on Donaldson. But if waiting for him means they miss out on others too, that makes it even worse. Kiriloff isn't on 40-man but it wouldn't be hard to make room. Would rather see him than Thames, Frazier, Bird, Zobrist.

...which could look like a mistake if things don't fall right

With regards to SP help, i keep telling myself to be patient, that these guys are smarter than I am about baseball, that they know which, if any, SP prospects are ready. Then I look in the mirror and I'm rolling my eyes at Tuesday's signings. Seems like a lot of things will need to fall into place for this team to be in position to challenge the Yankees or Astros in October.

So, we're assuming Dobnak is #5 starter? (Gulp) . A FA or trade brings #4? Seems like a solid, not spectacular, bullpen. It's almost Jan. 1, to early to panic. WAY too early. But I'm getting nervous that at least 2 of Smeltzer, Dobnak, Thorpe will be in the rotation on Opening Day.

Live two hours from Target Field so don't get there as often as I'd like. Was 15 when Metrodome opened, so saw a lot of games there. Mother's Day 2010, walked into the ballpark through the Hrbek gate with my then 13-year old son. Perfect sunny day. Was heaven. Took a DEEP breath of fresh air and told him when I die, just cremate me and spread my ashes on the field. Great memories over the last 10 years there with my two sons and my dad. Personally, being there for Johan's HOF induction, Nathan's induction and Mauer's number retirement are right at the top.

Taken individually, I think Kepler and Polanco are who we saw last year. If the ball is de-juiced, we'll likely see a regression in some power numbers, but they both are rock solid hitters now. Kepler is a good RF. Polanco's defense we all know is a bit hit-and-miss. Another 30-40 games from Garver, with maybe 20 starts at 1B, would be great. Not sure he gets the 1B starts and I doubt he catches more than 110-115. There are 3 guys I'm looking at that I feel can make a jump. 1) Berrios...No one doubts his stuff. Is it just adding strength to up his stamina so he can be strong for 200+ innings and into October? He's a Cy Young candidate if he can maintain through a full season 2) Buxton....140 games would be fun to see, wouldn't it? 3) Sano....just maintain the improvement from the last half of 2019 and be that player for a full season.

...or the desire to part with prospects