Diesel

I’m guessing there won’t be too many Hall of Famers inducted in the next few years. Beltre, Ichiro, and Sabathia are probably the only first ballot locks of currently retired players. Ortiz and Beltran both will probably eventually be inducted, but they both have scandals that have tarnished their careers. I doubt A-Rod ever gets elected, given his lengthy suspension. Chase Utley and Joe Mauer are both going to probably have to wait a while on the ballot. Scott Rolen and Omar Vizquel will eventually get in, while I feel Billy Wagner and Andruw Jones probably won’t make it in. I just hope there are no years without an inductee.

Full ballot. No huge names next year (Mark Buehrle, Tim Hudson, and Torii Hunter are the big newcomers), so hopefully the BBWAA plug their noses and vote Schilling/Bonds/Clemens. The Hall of Fame should be able to tell the story of baseball, and you need those 3 to properly tell it.

In 1974, Mike Marshall threw for over 200 innings out of the pen for the Dodgers. NOT saying the Twins should do that, but it is possible for Graterol to push 100 innings

Graterol can still be transitioned to a starter role. He isn’t stuck in the bullpen for the rest of his career. He’s still only 21. I like this move (for now), as long as they keep the options open in what he is able to do each year.

While I think Eddie does need to work on his defense a bit in spring training, I think some of these metrics can be a little misleading at times. Benintendi was one of the best left fielders in 2018 for crying out loud. I’ve seen this team play Deleon Young, Jason Kubel, and Michael Cuddyer in the corner outfield spots. I’ve seen Kepler being called below average in the field by the stats as well. On defense, I think the eye test is more important than computer statistics.

Pete Rose bet on his team to win. Shoeless Joe played extremely well in the World Series in 1919. Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were never suspended, and drug testing wasn’t even done until 2003. What the Astros and other teams did was clearly illegal, and should be treated similarly to steroid suspensions. I’m not saying for life: 3 of the best players on the Twins have got busted for drug use in the past, but have came back after a long suspension. The players need to be suspended for a bit. If the legends previously stated don’t make the Hall of Fame, I doubt Beltran and Altuve will have much of a shot in the future.

OH YES. Trade for an Ace and let’s gun for a World Series!

I think the Twins may just have the most talented Ohtani-like player in the MLB already, but he came up a few years early to be considered as an outfielder/pitcher. “ As a pitcher during his senior year, he had a 10–1 win–loss record with a 1.90 earned run average and 154 strikeouts in 81 innings pitched. Buxton also threw a fastball that was recorded at 99 miles per hour (159 km/h).” I want to see him pitch in a meaningless game at some point. I’m guessing he can still throw 95+ consistently.

Luckily for us, Sano is under Twins control through 2023 (Option year included)

Paul Konerko will fall off the ballot this year, so there is no way Nelson Cruz is a hall of famer. Joe Mauer is the only Twin for a long time that will be inducted.

As a fan of the Vikings and the Twins, at least the Wilfs (and other owners) have actively spent money to improve the team and stadium. and have been competitive throughout their history. The Twins on the other hand...... I know a lot of this was Carl Pohlad, but the team is still owned by the family. 1. After 1991, the Twins did not make the playoffs again until 2002. 2. The Twins were nearly moved to North Carolina, which was only stopped after voters there did not approve a deal. 3. Carl Pohlad offered to sell the team to MLB in a contraction plan (Montreal still deserves a team by the way). 4. Torii Hunter was offered an embarrassing $45 million contract, but instead got $90 million from the Angels. Eventually, Torii was brought back to the team, but merely as a “feel-good” mentorship role. 5. Johan Santana was traded to the Mets after having one of the most dominant stretches ever by a pitcher. (This isn’t as bad as people say, as it was after a losing 2007 season for the Twins). 6. Pitching has been an issue on playoff teams in this era as well as the 2000s teams. The most significant mid season trade acquisition may be Matt Capps. 7. The Twins forced taxpayers to pay for the majority of Target Field. (Forgive me if I’m wrong, but I think the Vikings deal was 50/50). The criticism for the Pohlads is definitely valid. The lack of a fan base is due to long stretches of mediocrity. The “Pohlads are cheap” argument is definitely worn out, but still factual. I’m sick of the “this player doesn’t want to move to Minnesota” argument. This team has the money or prospects to field a World Series contending team, and they are expected to field an equal team or worse on paper this year, despite the front office’s claims of wanting more. Look what happened to the Astros’ value after they won a title! Couldn’t the same thing happen here too?

I think the Twins can get a really good pitcher without giving up any of the top 5 prospects. Get a solid pitcher now, get another at the deadline, and this team will be set.

If the twins can get Bumgarner or Ryu, I think we will all be content. I don’t think Wheeler is worth 110 million. I think he’s slightly better than odorizzi. Can easily find a trade too with all of the prospects in the system.

This looks straight out of the early 2000s..... Roided up mascot, gross font, and incredibly cheesy name. The rest of the minor league teams have good names (in my opinion). This on the other hand.....

3 years for 30 million, so your prediction was pretty close. More than I would pay. Gibby will be 35 when the contract is done?

Well deserved for Cruz and Garver! I suspect Polanco and Kepler were also in the running! I already can’t wait for 2020!

As long as the thumb is OK I would give him that deal. If not... he’s not a MLB caliber player

I truly thought this was a division winning year in march, but I could’ve never dreamed about approaching 100 wins. Great year, but still a lot of work to do!

Seeing Sano really hustle on two different plays last night tells me there was a discussion in the locker room.

I have the same thought...... Yordan Alvarez has to be a 5 year vet, right? Astros definitely have some amazing hitting coaches to get these guys to their full potential.

I would personally go Arraez 2B Polanco SS Cruz DH Kepler CF Sano 3B Garver C Rosario LF Cave RF Gonzalez 1B ...... I’m no manager though. I pushed Eddie back because of OBP issues and depth of power ability.

Zac gallen should’ve been picked up at the deadline.....

Ryan Lamarre Season!

Big news, per Brandon Warne: Brusdar Graterol AND Jhoan Duran are coming up to Rochester. This is big news

The Indians aren't slouches either. Going 5-4 through the next 9 would be great