weitz41

It would seem like a wise move for the team and Duran. There is plenty of risk and reward on both sides. If the money being throw around this offseason continues, it would be a bargain for an average relief pitcher in a few years.

Brent Headrick is already on the 40 man and pitched well so far, Ober, Dobs or Varland. I think a long relief pitcher makes some sense. Probably who doesn't make the roster to make that happen would make a difference on yes or no

This is one of the few positions on the team that I struggle with the who's the next big prospect approach. 2021 TD MVP to 2023...injuries, getting older and expensive. 2.8 WAR in 104 games in 2022. 4 WAR player over 150 games. 1 or 2 more players like that and the Twins are playing in Oct. 2023.

I really hope AK is able to return to form, but if not turning to Julien (long term) as plan B makes the most sense to me. IDK about this season though. Seems like everyone except Buxton and Correa has a shot if AK doesn't fully recover. Yahoo fantasy baseball lists Vasquez as a C,1B..like I said everyone seems to have a shot. I prefer he is our 1B over one of these 6 guy is our 1B until they switch pitcher then it may be one of the others depending on the match up, how many out, what inning it is..Bah! give me Kent Hrbek. Here's hoping AK returns to form.

I expect to Guardians to regress a little as well. Did anything go wrong for them last season? Add a balanced schedule, healthier Twins team and healthier White Sox team. That I believe will cut into their win total by 5-7 wins.

I'd rather hold onto our trade chips until Aug 1st. We did finish 14 games back last season. Also maybe, Ryan or Lopez take the next step this season. It won't cost us anything (more) to find out.

Definitely, Imo is going to be a switch this season. I'm reasonably confident in the starters, the depth behind them and 3-4 BP arms. Even with the past injuries. Been a long time since I could say that. It's the offense that I'm more concerned about. Almost every likely starter in the field we're hoping for better health or a rebound. Correa, Miranda and Vazquez are the only ones that don't fit into one or more of those descriptions. It just seems like a lot to hope for.

Great article. Of course I want to Pohlad's to spend like crazy. BUT I believe there's quit a bit more to it then just spending more. San Diego just went deep into the playoffs. They're trying get the last couple wins to get to the series. They've emptied their farm system to get to this point and $ in the only recourse left to get them there. They're in the prime of their win cycle. It's now or possibly never. In five years they may have a title of two. But they may have none and a roster full of Miguel Cabrera's. The Twins are not in the middle of a win cycle. Maybe one starts this season. If it does great. Then trade for an ACE or a star player. Spend, spend, spend. IMO

This years team is basically the same one that was on pace for 90+ wins last season, before being torpedoed by injuries. Much better starting pitching, better depth at just about every position, but balanced schedule will cost them a few W's..85-89 wins.

No kidding. His last full season was 2019: 2019 20 -0.5 North Carolina ACC NCAA 64 278 230 47 79 25 1 18 63 0 1 39 56 .344 .453 .696 1.149 160 6 8 0 1 Brooks Lee 2022: 2022 21 -0.2 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo BigW NCAA 58 286 235 56 84 25 1 15 55 3 1 46 28 .357 .462 .664 1.125 156 2 0 3 Kind of makes you say what the heck happened?

I'm not in a hurry to move on from Polanco. Lewis at 2nd seems like a waste of his tools. Lee looks like a 3rd baseman to my eyes. Martin might be his biggest threat IMO. But that's 20-25 homeruns lost to the offense. Maybe Julien if he can play passable defense. I think Polanco is the best of the lot overall at 2nd for a couple more seasons. Lee and Lewis are probably the closest to a sure thing as MLB players. The others have their warts, and I wouldn't want to plan on them just yet.

My point with Julien as a 1st baseman is his defense (so far) slides him down the spectrum to 2nd, LF or 1st. Using MLB ratings, they put Julien as a 40 in the field, Wallner a 45 and Larnach was a 50. Some of that thought is where can you play him and his defense but get his bat in the everyday lineup. Julien is 6' 2" 195 lbs. he's not exactly tiny. Kinda like a Carlos Santana 1st baseman not a Rowdy Tellez type. It was and is more about finding a place for his bat with the downside of his defense.

I agree. Plus if Kirilloff is healthy and hitting 2024 could see him in LF or RF again. I have to admit though that I'm a Polanco fan and am likely to be against any other player at 2nd base. 😁

Like another posting, after Kirilloff we have very little to no depth in prospects at 1b. I know it's no ideal prospect list wise. (Not that that should really matter) But other than that we have lots of left side and center infield prospects and tons of outfielder prospects. Seems like a logical place for him to make it to the show. .270-.300 BA/.325-.375 OBP/.450-.550 SLUG makes for a pretty decent 1st baseman. Also like another posting. Where he plays in ST would be interesting to know. His AAA position/positions may tell what the FO and coaches see.

I'd rather not part with the prospect and mlb players we'd have to give up getting Burns. Baseball trade value puts it in the range of Ryan, Raya and 1 of Lee or Lewis range. They're usually pretty close on trades. That IMO is way too much to part with for two seasons of Burns. Sure, extend him and then it's probably worth it. I have my doubts that would happen.

Steer is a good prospect and is probably ranked higher due to health not potential. There's just a lot pushing Lewis down prospect lists but it's not talent or tools related. If Lewis didn't get injured again last season, he would have graduated from the prospect lists. I still believe the Mahle trade was a good deal for the Twins.

It seems we are overdue for a homegrown star player. It's time for this pesky poor health bug to buzz off... AK, Royce, Martin and Lee nearing their potential, would make for a really fun team to root for for a long time.

Confusing addition..Like adding Gallo..Maybe a trade or injury update coming in the next few days? 😕

Oh IDK about that. A former top 30 prospect in all of MLB with 80 grade power should be able to land a minor league contract or something better in Japan. One hitting coach who gets through to him and you have a jack pot. There's got be be a few teams that will take a flier on that. Give it a week or two.

I'm looking forward to catching the Cedar Rapids games when the come to the area this year. E rod, Salas, Raya, Miller , maybe our 1st pick of more from the 2023 draft. CR should be a really good team this year. Before and after promotions. I hope it is just the beginning for E Rod. Only 47 games last year makes it a bit of a leap of faith, but there are stats from the season before that make me want to believe as well.

OK I'll man up and start the thumbs down.. Just sign Sano once Paddack and Lewis go on the 60-day IL. If Kirilloff's wrist proves to be healthy you can cut him before the season. If you keep him around, which I think would make the most sense, you can always trade him at the deadline. No, I don't want Sano and Gallo in the lineup every day. But shuffling 2-3 positions seems even worse. The other free agent options have their own warts. If they didn't, they wouldn't be unemployed right now.

I agree he is one of the keys to the offense. I'm rooting for him to get this wrist injury behind him. I hate to see his career fizzle because of it.. Seems like the one position with less-than-ideal options if his wrist isn't right. The other's mentioned get most of their team value from playing their primary position. No one in the minors stands out to me as an option except Julien but he hasn't played a game in AAA yet.

I think my comments are more about the make-or-break season. The salary comment I believe was directed at a few others in the comments section. The prospects, I can see Lee and Lewis making it a possibility. But I think they affect Gordon, Celestino and Larnach more. Martin and Julien I feel less confident in effecting Polanco's future with the team. Martin's slug says utility player and Julien's defense says 1st base. If Kirlloff's wrist is kaput. Julien at 1st would make a lot of sense.

This looks to by far the best Twins team we've seen in awhile. IMO lots of quality depth everywhere except the BP. That could be addressed before the season starts. Just keep the injuries to a minimum and it should be the end to some ugly streaks in Twins and baseball history. (I hope)

SWR is one of the tougher prospects to figure out for me. Most on the national publications are of the he's ok to Meh variety. Maybe it's just me but it seems like these national publications are high on Twins hitting prospects but negative on Twins pitching prospects. If he had those numbers and was a Dodger prospect I think he's be a top 100 most if not all their lists. Anyway the Meh reminds me of what they had to say about Varland the season before last. I've got high hopes for him for this season and beyond.