JDubs

This is pretty much the definition of wishful thinking. Look at what good pitchers actually got in trade value last year. Or even better, think about what you would accept in a trade if the Twins had an ace. Hell, even Berrios, long derided by this fan base for not being a "true" ace, got back more than that. No one who could reasonably be called a front line starter is going to be available for one prospect and one 3/4 type starter.

I hate hate hate to see Arraez go. He's definitely my favorite current player and his at bats are appointment television. But between his already extremely-limited defensive abilities and the ticking time bomb of his knees, this feels like the exact sell-high point of his career. And getting back a legit #2 pitcher and global-100 prospect and intriguing 3rd guy just for Arraez sure seems like a steal. It's a deal I hate to love because I'll miss Arraez so much, but it looks really good for the Twinkies.

I hate hate hate to see Arraez go. He's definitely my favorite current player and his at bats are appointment television. But between his already extremely-limited defensive abilities and the ticking time bomb of his knees, this feels like the exact sell-high point of his career. And getting back a legit #2 pitcher and global-100 prospect and intriguing 3rd guy just for Arraez sure seems like a steal. It's a deal I hate to love because I'll miss Arraez so much, but it looks really good for the Twinkies.

Miss me with the bs about not being charged -- only a small fraction of people who commit sexual assault ever get convicted. This is like saying Pol Pot was never convicted in a court of law, so how are we to say if he was bad or not? But the second chances bit is also incredibly weak, because second chances are for people who a) apologize and b) grow or change. Bauer has not come close to doing either, and instead has continued to double down on all the stuff he was doing before when everyone thought he was just a regular jackass and not also a sexual predator. To repeat myself, there's got to be a line somewhere, and if "unrepentant rapist" ain't the line, then you probably just don't have a line.

It would be just about the most Minnesota thing ever to get the best free agent in franchise history largely because everyone else decided they don't want him.

I know that not all ballplayers are choir boys and if you insist on everyone being morally perfect you wouldn't have a team, but you also need to have some sort of line. And if Bauer ain't your line, I shudder to think what someone has to do to cross whatever line you have.

I'm pretty certain a lot of the people currently screaming about how the dumb Twins wouldn't pony up the dough to get a top-shelf player like Correa will suddenly be shouting that the dumb Twins paid way too much for an obviously-broken bum like Correa. It'll be a lot like how for years Berrios was at best a number 2 starter who couldn't be counted on to be at the top of a rotation, and then when he was traded he was suddenly an ace the Twins were foolish to lose.

That's the joke.jpeg

I mean, Swanson and Rodón together would probably be a better outcome than just Correa. But then again, trading for Judge, Sherzer, Ohtani, and Gerrit Cole would definitely be better than either of those and seems just about as likely to actually happen.

I may be in the minority here, but I like the signing for basically every reason outlined above. Doesn't at all prevent them from signing a better SS, but is also a fine half-season fill in while we wait for Lewis. Or maybe we just have a decent and cheap SS while signing a major front-line starter, which would also be pretty great.

There's a chance they just signed Pagan with the intention of trading him, and I cling to that sliver of hope because I would rather trot out a local high school pitcher who wins a drawing than I would Pagan.

Tough to see Gio go as he was definitely one of their top players last year, but keeping him means you have to put Miranda at first, and then you've got a log jam with Arraez, Kiriloff, and others. Probably a smart move to clear a bit of space, now let's get Correa back at short.

Mostly what I take away from this is that the Senators' logo from 57-60 was dope as hell and needs to be on a throwback jersey for the Twins

Given how much he has to manage his health just to get ready for every start, I don't think Archer could work in the bullpen even if he was amenable to it. As weak as the bullpen is, once you get to the playoffs you have offdays and don't need as much depth. So you've got Lopez, Duran, Fulmer, Thielbar and maybe Maeda and Winder if they're back, which really leaves no place for Archer. Hell, even if Maeda and Winder aren't back, there's still really no place for Archer on a playoff roster.

I fear this is a prime example of Betteridge's law. Even with his slight down year right now, I can't believe there isn't a team ready to pounce and give him a 9-figure contract.