mudcat14

So it sure seems to me that C4 made very positive impression and held major sway in the clubhouse last season. This, in spite of the fact that everyone and his brother knew that Carlos was only here as a 1-year rental. Now that he has committed to the organization for the long haul, I expect his influence to have an even more significant effect an the roster. For this reason I think his signing is a much bigger deal than just retaining a component from last year's 3rd place finisher. I don't think many of the "Talking Heads" I see on the internet are crediting his commitment for the upgrade that it really is.

The only ways the Twins could trade either of those two for a #1 ace is if said hurler was a high ceiling prospect or a pending FA. If the Twins want a #1, they must develop him. More than a generation ago we brought back Blyleven and lured Black Jack Morris home. Each were beyond their peak years, but enjoyed a brief resurgence leading to championships. The only two pitchers we have had since that era who could be considered #1 talents were Viola & Santana. Each were developed internally.

No way. No how. No matter the potential return. Regardless of his current knee status, he has all of the physical tools and proved in his limited AAA/MLB 2022 AB's that he is the type elite talent that contending teams need to retain. At the end of 2019 questions regarding his swing and defensive reliability at SS began to surface. Then between the pandemic and his 1st ACL procedure, he went two entire season's without playing in a single game. The adjustments he made during that hiatus were enough to convince me that he has the head, heart and desire to be an All-Star at whichever position we need him to play. I'll be outraged if the move him in any deal.

I'm all for signing Andrus as a place-holder, until Lewis or Lee are ready. Offer Rodon the 7/200 deal he seeks. Flip Kepler and perhaps Polanco for whatever pitching depth we can get. Go with the youth! Maybe make an offer to JD Martinez as a RH DH, veteran presence.

Dylan F****n Bundy?!?! Maybe we can re-sign Kohl Stewart next. What's Paul Thormodsgard up to these days?

Another example of the failure of this regime's scouting accumen. We've gotten and will now never get any contribution from Anderson, while Wade is thriving with the division leading Giants. Everyone on this board knew that Cave should have been the one sent packing. Not Wade.

Now I know I wasn't imagining it. Thanks. As I recall Kirilloff's arm is not considered more than average, at best. I would assume his path to playing time is in LF, at least initially.

Crap! Either I totally misread the original, or they changed it. Could have sworn it said Kirilloff would play RF. Anyway, it's very unlikely that Kepler would shift over, correct?

The linked post from MLB Trade Rumors suggests that Kirilloff will play RF come opening day. I assumed he would be in LF, since Kepler is so well regarded defensively in RF. What are the odds Max slides to the other side of the pasture? link: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/02/outfielder-notes-kirilloff-kiermaier-robles.html

I liked Wade as a 4/5th OF, but his only real advantages over Cave are his batting eye and shorter service time. Larnach, Rooker, Lewis or Celestino would all likely jump him if injuries required a regular fill-in at the major league level. 17-years ago, the Twins acquired another RH from the Giants who was also only one season removed from transitioning into a reliever's role. He was a couple years older, but also threw in the upper/mid 90's. Now he's in the Twins HoF. Come on lightning! Strike twice!!!

Justin Wilson seems like a good fit at somewhere below $5mil on a 1-year deal. I also like the idea of adding James Paxton but am uncertain as to his health and projected cost.

I'd much rather re-sign Adrianza at a fraction of the cost of Marwin.

I read that too. Hopefully the Twins will tell them to p*ss up a rope, and hang on to Brusdar. See if we can work out an independent deal with the Dodgers or someone else if we feel the need for another starter. Otherwise, wait til the mid-season deadline and see how desperate we really are with Pineda & Hill due back.

Hold on. Graterol is still a Top 100 prospect by ALL services. You, I & everyone else watching saw him throw multiple 100+ mph strikes in his most recent outings. He spent the off-season at the Twins training facility with no reported setbacks. The Twins publicly announced that he would remain in relief for the foreseeable future, in all likelihood due to concerns over his durability. Obviously the Twins are in the 'Win Now' mode and felt a proven, controllable #3-4 starter was more valuable to them this year than a #5-8 arm in our deep bullpen, despite his tremendous potential. If the deal falls through, the Twins will be more than happy to continue to develop the kid with the most dynamic velocity that they have produced in years.

I realize the Twins got a valued return when they traded Eduardo Escobar in 2018. But when we signed Marwin for the same total money the next off-season, I thought it was a wrong choice. Especially when you consider EE's contract covered three years as opposed to Marwin's two year deal. That being said, unless Gonzales can be traded for something of value I assume he's a roster lock.

The question on Musgrove is this, Would you be willing to part with Kiriloff and a lesser prospect to get him? I'm pretty sure it would take at least that much. Alex could be especially enticing for them with his Steeltown roots.

Anyone heard what the timeline is for the Twins officially announcing this deal? I assume a press conference will be held with Donaldson in attendance. I believing a corresponding 40-man move is coming, to create space. Are the Twins putting the official signing off, in order to accommodate this?

You're right Chief. 'A bit more,' is an understatement of what would be required to land Gray, who is controllable at a relatively cheap rate for two more years. However I truly believe that the two player package I proposed for Arenado isn't that far off, provided the Twins absorb the entire $234mil remaining on his deal. Lewis and Kiriloff are Top 15 overall prospects, and Balazovic is on everyone's ask list when the Twins are in trade talks. Perhaps a 'B' level prospect or two would need to be added to appease the Rockies fan base, but I wouldn't plan any anyone significant.

Agree, completely. If I were Falvine, I'd give the Rocks the choice of Kiriloff, Larnach or Lewis plus Balazovic and eat all of Arenado's contract to get it done. Including Gray would cost a bit more, but is worth exploring.

Saw suggested on here earlier that Darvish may be available relatively cheap from the Cubs. With 4-years and a smidge over $80mil left on his deal, he would be cheaper than MadBum or Ryu. Think Gordon would be enough to land him if we took on the entire contract? I think the Cubbies are far from settled at 2B, and might like a cheap option who is still considered a good young prospect.

Players who are subject to the Rule 5 Draft, if left unprotected; Caleb Hamilton Zander Wiel Travis Blankenhorn Brian Schales Yeltsin Encarnacion Wander Javier Luke Raley Gilberto Celestino Trey Cabbage Grffin Jax Jhoan Duran Dakota Chalmers Andro Curura Tyler Watson Luis Rijo Lachlan Wells Jake Reed Adam Bray Tom Hackimer Jonathan Cheshire Jovani Moran Johan Quezada Ryan Mason Hector Lujan Moises Gomez I think only about 5-6 of these guys need to be protected. Raley, Jax and Duran are probably the most ML ready. Don't really want to risk losing Javier or Celestino. Both are young enough that they could afford to languish for a season as a defensive replacement in the bigs, before resuming their minor league development. All reports say both have ++ tools.

Not sure if the 26th roster spot will make it more likely a player gets drafted and stashed for a season. But I think you can risk not protecting a guy like Chambers. Sure his arm is electric, but he's no where near ready to spend a season in the big leagues.

Personally, I'd give up Lewis & Kiriloff if the deal netted both Syndergaard & Diaz. They are two experienced yet controllable, dynamic, young arms that could thrive outside of the NY spotlight. Plus they fill glaring needs on a potential World Series team, right now.

The Giants only shot is a 1-game Wild Card play-off, and their farm is weak. They've been auditioning OF's all season and Crawford & Panik ain't getting any younger (or better.) Add Badoo/Celestino or Maciel to that package and I think it's a better offer than you're giving credit for. We've already seen that the QO compensation isn't a guarantee for the Giants, with the way Keuchel and Kimbrell played out this year. I think the Giants would give it strong consideration.

I don't think we can solve our mound issues with one deal. I think we need to make a rental deal for Bumgarner/Smith. Maybe Gordon, Duran & a couple lesser's get that done. We also need two RH guys for the pen. Giles for Larnach/Rooker & Balazovic. Then finish with Kennedy for Jaylin Davis, if the Royals eat some salary. None of those deals are worth including Royce Lewis unless we can get a piece to flip into one of the other deals.