twinkiesfan11

Maybe another Garlick/Cotton type of signing? Basically a AAAA player with traits the FO likes, sign them for a low ML deal just large enough to discourage other clubs from claiming on waivers so they can be shuttled back and forth between AAA and the big league club.

MLB phrases it that way or similar for every player. Probably can’t or at least shouldn’t state that there is an agreement before the signing period begins even though literally everyone knows better.

Just out of curiosity, where did you see this? I’ve been following this signing class as closely as someone with no inside knowledge can and hadn’t seen this. His Instagram page still has a photo of him in a Twins jersey and says Future Twin. Would be a bummer if they miss out on him, looks like a major talent. Thanks in advance

Do Not sign Dansby Swanson. Not worth the contract he’ll likely get plus draft pick compensation plus blocking the Twins two best prospects. Correa would have been, Swanson no. Make a competitive but reasonable offer on Rodon. If (when) they’re outbid, time to scale back with an eye toward 2024. Trading Gray, Maeda, possibly Mahle, Kepler to restock the minor league system.

Still very limited information on the 2023 class but Baseball America released the top 20 board today https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/2023-mlb-international-prospects-bonus-board/ Per BA, the Twins are favored to sign the #13 ranked prospect, Cuban OF Ariel Castro. Fangraphs has the Twins linked to Dominican SS Hendry Chivilli. https://www.fangraphs.com/prospects/the-board/international-players/summary?sort=-1,1&type=0

Article suggestion alert!!! As a sicko that obsessively checks the DSL and FCL box scores every day, I’d love to see an article with a little more info on some of the higher profile players at those levels if any of the writers are plugged in enough to get/share that info. The DSL team has had some really impressive performances from a number of hitters in particular. Rafael Cruz (brother of Oneil Cruz) appeared to be torching DSL pitching before playing in the DSL All Star game and then promoted to the FCL. Yasser Mercedes, Bryan Acuna, Jose Rodriguez, Harold Grant, Anderson Nova and others have put up impressive numbers in their first professional season. Definitely an intriguing group that could use more coverage in my opinion.

This would be a happy outcome from my perspective. Really hoping they target upside as opposed to high floor a little more this year. The minor league system is thinning out rapidly with all the promotions and under performing somewhat touted lower level bats (Sabato, Cavaco, Urbina, Soularie, etc) This appears to be a strong year for prep pitching and position players so hopefully there will be some good options available.

Keith Laws mock went up on The Athletic this morning. He’s got some college bats going for under a lot deals at the top resulting in Termarr Johnson falling to the Marlins at 6, Cam Collier going to the Cubs at 7, the Twins taking Cole Young at 8 and Elijah Green to the Royals at 9. I’m really hoping Johnson and/or Collier slide enough to get to the Twins. Based on recent mocks it seems like Johnson’s stock has fallen sightly where he’s no longer a sure fire top 3 pick. Collier seems to have a ton of helium. They’re my personal favorite semi realistic options for the Twins at 8.

Sad to see Garver go, a fan favorite and giving up the highest upside player in a trade gives heartburn. You’re talking about a guy though who has never had more than 359 plate appearances in a big league season. Prone to injury and slumps, probably best suited to be a high level part time player. At age 31 it’s probably appropriate to move him for the right fit. IKF is younger, more versatile and plays a position of greater need. If Royce Lewis pans out he can transition into a very valuable “multi-position everyday player” which the Twins seem to value. Henriquez is a nice get also, can never have too much pitching depth.

I'm on the Rodon train 100%, exactly the type of gamble you need to take. Sure the injury risk is high but that's a mostly unknowable risk with any free agent pitcher and Rodon's upside is enormous. That perceived heightened injury risk likely lowers the AAV and years of his next contract and for that reason unless the medical records show he's toast the Twins should be targeting him hard. Bassitt seems like a solid target depending on cost, doesn't excite me a lot but would be excited if acquired. I agree that a trade is the most likely scenario to fill the #2 rotation slot. Hope to see them in on all the most commonly speculated names (Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo, Tyler Mahle, Sean Manea, Frankie Montas) but wouldn't be surprised if the real target is someone none of us see coming (similar to the Maeda trade). Pineda seems like such a no brainer to me, he's a solid established major league pitcher and by all reports there's significant mutual interest in a reunion. Maybe another 2-year deal gets it done? One thing the article doesn't address is the gaping hole at Shortstop. It will be interesting to see how this is addressed this offseason. With the way free agency has played out so far I'm hoping Trevor Story's market has dried up enough to get him on somewhat of a bargain deal.

Quick review of his Wikipedia page mentions that he was one of three promoted to Assistant GM with the Rangers after Thad Levine left for the Twins in November 2016. He had been with the Rangers organization in various roles since 2007 so there would seem to be a Levine connection with this hire. I’m interested to learn more about him but sure seems like an exciting hire.

I’m David Popkins…and I’m gonna coach the hell…out of you!

I’m David Popkins…any Questions?