cHawk

One could reasonably state that I'm very pro-analytics. However, there comes a point where analytics are not to be trusted. Analytics suggesting Joey Gallo should bat leadoff are a prime example of that point. Correa or Polanco should bat leadoff.

The Twins would be off their trolley to bat Gallo in the leadoff spot. We've seen Buxton in the leadoff spot in the past, but he has shown strikeout issues. Correa or Polanco would make the most sense, given that they respectively ranked 2nd and 3rd of all Twins players in OBP.

Neither Vasquez nor Jeffers are going to hit 36 home runs or produce nearly as much offensively as Garver did in 2019. Miranda, Kirilloff, Correa, and Polanco could certainly be one of the better infields. That being said, Cron, Sano, Arraez, and Polanco in 2019 is hard to match. I don't know about everyone else, but I hated the Gallo signing. It doesn't improve the outfield in any way, shape, or form. He most certainly will not produce like Rosario did in 2019. Who in the DH role is going to hit 39 home runs in 2019 as Nelson Cruz did? This offseason is not near complete. Falvine have much work to do to elevate this roster to the level in which I (and many fans) would be pleased with.

Taylor is a solid backup, and worth the (low) price. However, this doesn’t exactly move the needle further in the direction it needs to be. More, please.

I hope our Vikings are watching and taking notes

I think it's Daniel Jones being Daniel Jones

Losing Arraez does weaken the offense but he’s by no means our “best hitter” when we have Carlos Correa.

Correct, and Cousins' 4th-and-8 checkdown was an example of such a boneheaded mistake.

Yeah no. Best of wishes to Sano in all of his future endeavors, but he would not make this lineup better as it stands right now.

Rogers had an ERA+ of 81 between stints with two different teams last year. He was less than third-rate and the Twins' bullpen wouldn't have been any better with him in it.

Even if Paddack is godawful, $4M/year is a not a "big waste of money." It's similar to Dobnak's $2M/year deal in many ways.

That suggestion is embarrassing, even by ESPN standards.

Why would you check it down there?

What a break.

Defense needs to stand tall here

Long drives

We need a TD on this next drive

Defense needs to force a turnover at some point

The Chargers have way too much talent to lose a playoff game like that. Completely unacceptable if I’m Dean Spanos.

Lawrence with four interceptions and the Chargers up 24-0. My goodness.

Today the 9-7-1 Giants meet the 13-4 Vikings in the Wild Card Round of the NFC playoffs at U.S. Bank Stadium. Vegas currently favors the Vikings by 3 points, thus indicating that this game is, in essence, a toss-up. These two teams have been involved in a combined 23 one-score games, in which they have combined an impressive record of 19-4-1. They also happened to meet in Week 16, a game which game down to a last-second, 61-yard field goal by Minnesota's kicker, Greg Joseph. The Vikings, who have had issues up front as of late, will receive a large boost today in the form of Center Garrett Bradbury, who will return after missing the previous five games. They will be without Right Tackle Brian O'Neill, whose position will be filled by backup Oli Udoh. Protecting signal-caller Kirk Cousins will be a major key for Minnesota today. Historically, Cousins does not perform well when under consistent pressure. He has been contacted a gargantuan number of times by opposing defenders this season. While Minnesota is quite potent on the offensive side of the ball, they have been repulsive defensively this season. Only the lowly Chicago Bears have allowed more yards to opposing offenses this season. Despite a hideous slew of ugly statistics, Minnesota's defense does rank 9th in the league in total takeaways, and they will likely need at least one to win this game. They were able to net two takeaways in the previous meeting against New York, as well as a blocked punt. Such mistakes are awfully uncharacteristic of these Giants, who have amassed the 2nd fewest giveaways in the league this year. This game will be broadcast on FOX and will begin at 3:40 pm Central Standard Time. Kevin Burkhardt and former Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen will be on the call from Minneapolis. 12-year NFL official and 4-year NFL referee Adrian Hill will be in charge. Prediction: MIN 27, NYG 24

Good for McCutchen. No offense to him but he wouldn’t have been able to help the Twins win this year, therefore this outcome works well for everyone.

Of course. Berrios has fallen off a cliff ever since he was traded and the Twins acquired Austin Martin and Simeon Woods-Richardson in exchange. That’s not a trade. That’s a heist.

As I have stated before, the Twins either need to commit to winning in 2023 or rebuilding for the future. Apparently they plan to choose the former option. Offloading Sonny Gray would be beneficial to the latter, but detrimental to the former.