cHawk

Well obviously they have a long-term solution at starter. As for a backup, I have my doubts about Cave, as he was really bad in 2021. I don’t know if we can expect a bounceback year from him. Austin Martin possibly, but only when he’s ready. I don’t want to bring him up, have him struggle, and destroy his confidence. In any case, if you can find a (good) backup for little money, do it. If you can’t, have Martin or Cave fill the role.

Please not…

You can do that yourself.

If one closer is good, why not two?

I mean Berrios kind of wanted out so trading him was probably the best way to go. That being said the money Toronto gave him makes me suspicious.

They’ve never had even a #2 in their tenure? Didn’t they have a Cy Young runner up in 2020 along with a very good Berrios? You don’t win playoff games scoring one run per game.

We have been talking Falvey and Levine on this site for months now. I already made a thread about this, but that was back in June. Since then there’s been the trade deadline, half of the offseason, and the Buxton extension. I think it’s appropriate to revisit this subject for that reason. As always, vote above and elaborate below!

I never heard anything about an injury. The only thing I heard about was COVID. Maybe that was part of it? He was hot before he caught it and the team shut down and around then he began to be awful the whole year.

Yeah I was going to say D/D- if not Incomplete.

While we are undergoing the lockout, nothing can be done by any team. So I think this would be an appropriate time to look over what has been done this offseason and discuss what to expect after the end of the lockout, and what the Twins still need to do. Buxton extended When we were all down on the Twins’ FO and thinking that a trade was inevitable, the Twins got it done. The Twins and Buxton agreed on a 7-year, $100M extension with incentives. That’s $14.29M per year base salary. So essentially Buxton needs to put up at least 12.5 WAR over 7 years for this contract to be worth it. Is that a reasonable expectation? Well, unless he has a major injury, (that would take him out for multiple consecutive seasons) yes, as he put up 4.2 in 61 games this past year. And that never looked like a fluke, as the guy has been a generational talent since he was drafted. As I said, there are also incentives in this contract (I think he makes an extra $8M per MVP award?) which of course make sense. All in all, I cannot sing enough praise for this extension. Dylan Bundy signed to one-year deal The Twins went into this offseason needing major upgrades at SP. They needed a big time addition, and that addition is… Dylan Bundy. Yeah, I wasn’t too excited about this signing. It looked like another dumpster dive by a FO who has a reputation of doing that with pitchers. That being said, this FO has had success with this strategy in the past (ok, not in 2021, but in other years) so I’m willing to give Bundy a chance. Unlike Happ or Shoemaker, Bundy is in his late 20’s, so he’s significantly younger and therefore probably has more upside. As I look at these numbers, Bundy’s best pitch over his career according to run value has been his slider. That was probably the main thing about Bundy that Falvey and Levine were interested in. However, he was bad in 2021. Very. bad… The Twins will be counting on a bounce back year from Bundy. His ceiling IMO is what he was in 2020, where he put up 2.0 WAR in 90 IP. Further needs after the end of the lockout Well, I don’t think I need to say it. Do I? Actually? Of course the Twins need top of the rotation help. Bundy, Ryan, and Ober can be a very solid back of the rotation, where you could be pleasantly surprised if Ryan ends up being much more. But the Twins still need 2 starters and about 4-6 bullpen arms. Many on this site have called for the Twins to sign former Chicago White Sock Carlos Rodon, who was a Cy Young Candidate in 2021. This would definitely be a target for me. I would also look to acquire a young, top-end starter with team control via trade. I would then add quality arms on the cheap in the bullpen, and address the need of a shortstop (not with Simmons, thank you very much). What should expectations be for the Twins in 2022? This is the million $$$ question. Of course, there’s no guarantee the Twins are going to do any of the 4 things I suggested. In fact, it’s very likely they’re not going to do all four things I suggested. If they want to contend in 2022, they should, IMO, look to do these 4 things (and maybe more). If they want to go all in on ‘23 or ‘24, IMO they should look to find long term solutions to these four needs. If they want to rebuild, well, Falvey and Levine should walk. Rebuilding after 5 years is inexcusable. Mid-Offseason Grade: Incomplete So that’s what I think on this subject. I now want to hear what you think. Share your thoughts down below!

I also would’ve rather watched Astudillo pitch in all of the instances where Colome pitched.

Polanco might be bad but Sano would be absolutely dreadful. His range is nowhere near the requirements of an MLB shortstop.

Well obviously they still need pitching help. I would try to acquire young pitching (starting, preferably) with multiple years of control, as I don't see them going all in on 2022 (if they were going to, Dylan Bundy wouldn't have been their only pre-lockout acquisition). I don't want to give Story big money when he has played in Coors his entire career, so I'd look at a buy-low option at SS.

Dude? Is this a serious take?

This time they have a bench coach, so Baldelli will have some help this time around. Also new hitting coach(es). So our offensive production might be something to watch. Other than that, not much else of note.

The 1st one was bad too.

Cousins threw two picks that Pittsburgh scored 15 off of. One of which was absolutely dreadful.

Given that they lost today no win is guaranteed. They have the Rams and Packers coming up, both probable losses

IDK if I’d call it a gift, if it means Zimmer keeps his job…

Well there you go.

Could this be another case of awful coaching?

He was hurt at the beginning of year.

They’re the same coaches who put Hill back in for Darrisaw in Week 5. Is Darrisaw also a bust?