LastOnePicked

Maybe we can skip the snark on this one. We disagree. That's all. But the results speak pretty loudly that the danger to Lewis' knees was more than "absolutely zero," as you oddly suggested in your earlier post.

I'm confused. How many of their CFs were drafted as SS and had spent the majority of their rehabs at SS coming back from a torn ACL that had delayed their careers? My guess is, not many. Banging up against a wall while running and leaping is likely quite dangerous to already-injured knees. Not sure why its controversial to suggest that what the Twins did was unwise. Unless the default answer to all of the Twins misfortunes and mistakes should just be "darn the luck."

I don't think this is accurate. The collusion with the wall is cited in multiple articles as the cause of the tear.

Well, the injury itself - and in just the first few innings of his appearance there - would suggest an evidence case count somewhat higher than zero. We can speculate on what we think normally happens in these cases, but the only solid evidence we have for what was right-wrong for Lewis is what actually did happen. Heck, don't take my word for it - take Royce's: “I'm more excited to make those plays at the wall, but it's a little more dangerous,” But, sure, the Twins can toss him right back out there when he gets to the bigs. I mean, what are the odds, right?

Many Twins fans predict a late season clinch Pitchers and catchers report But all of this hype sounds like Whos to a Grinch. Pitchers and catchers report Stow all your hope talk because I'm not budgin' I'll firmly remain a Twins Fan Curmudgeon! Pitchers and catchers report. Nah, I have a little hope for this season. A little. Don't tell anyone.

"As the year progressed, Pagan slid further down the pecking order. Eventually, he found his footing and put on an excellent second half of the season. Most of his late-season work went unnoticed, as his reputation was already tarnished." I have to admit, this often-repeated faint praise of Pagan confuses me. Wouldn't almost ANY MLB reliever appear to be an improved pitcher when placed exclusively in low-leverage situations? It's like having a special bench hitter you only give at-bats when the opponent's position players are pitching in a blowout. Of course they're going to look good.

Two roads diverged after 2022: rebuild or reload. The challenge with a rebuild is that it requires patience and a long-term vision. The challenge with a reload is that the frontline talent a team needs to get over the hump can't often be signed in free agency or traded for. I know I was calling for a rebuild, but ultimately I think I can respect that Falvey and Levine opted for reload. Perhaps most impressive to me is that they pulled off a trade that addressed reload needs and rebuild needs at the same time. But will it pay off? We'll see. The first injury will likely send some shivers through the clubhouse. The first blown save will resurrect the grim specter of 2022. It's going to take some very good managing to manage these bumps. I fear that in addressing the roster, the FO ignored the most glaring weakness with this team: the manager. But again, we'll see.

They are glorious. Great work. The Pagan one made my day.

"Fewer outcomes in baseball are less aesthetically pleasing than a late blown lead." Oh, it's not just aesthetics - it carries a mental toll, too. The first save/hold that Pagan blows this year could take the wind out of this team's sails pretty quickly.

2019 was fun and unexpected and unsustainable, but here's the price the organization paid for 2019 - it made an unaccomplished rookie manager seem much better than he really was. Rocco's performance has gotten steadily worse every year since. Last year was one of the most poorly-managed Twins seasons I've ever seen, culminating in a total season collapse from solidly in first in late summer to third-place-but-closer-to-last by fall. 2019 gave everyone in the organization a halo effect, giving some job security they really shouldn't have.

Just when I thought I was out of hope. Nice article. If I could humbly ask the baseball gods for a favor, it would be to give Buxton, Lewis and Kirilloff a chance to play the season with absolutely minimal pain and maximum mobility. It may be asking a lot, but I would love to see this young man in particular flourish at the big league level.

Also agree. Sell high. Restock the farm system, particularly if you're not drafting very high. It's a solid recipe for success. I liked the Arraez trade for the same reason.

Maybe. But it probably depends on who you passed up along the way. A very good pitcher with a much smaller chance of needing TJ might be a lot better than an elite pitcher who is quickly re-injured. I'm sure someone on TD will do an article in 2028 on whom the Twins picked and whom they skipped. I'm hoping luck favors their choice, but don't think that's yet been the case.

Well, they could make the tough calls and make them wrong. Imagine hovering on the cusp of Wild card contention and again slicing up the farm system to bring in guys who instantly collapse. Kind of like 2022 all over again. I know folks think this offseason represents a push for consistent winning. I just see A LOT of question marks all over the diamond - more than you'll likely ever see in a contender. I can't shake the feeling it's delusion, and that we should have been entering Year 3 of a total 5-6 year rebuild instead.

Gray strikes me as much closer to a #3 starter on a contender than an ace. Decent. Pretty good. You wouldn't buy tickets to go watch him pitch, and you wouldn't give away tickets when he's scheduled. The Reds were probably smart to move him when they did. It is a little bit funny that there's a lot of chatter about playoff starts already. I hope folks remember that this is a team that finished well below .500 for the last two seasons. Let's see if they can survive July June May April Spring Training first.