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Not interested in these three. I want to see the Twins get quality over quantity. They are gonna have an extra $35M from Correa alone, not counting all the dollars from the rest of the guys released. Go out and get the best damn reliever on the market. Added to Lopez and Duran at the back end of games, that would be the Royales from when they were champs. There are lots of other solid guys to fill out the earlier innings already in the organization, get a third stud to close out games.

Thanks for the heads up, Seth. Impressive young man. When I watch your interviews with Twins prospects, I hope that most of them make it. Watching this, I got a feeling I know this kid is going to be good...real good. Guess we will just have to tip our caps to the Brew Crew.

I don't expect the Twins to be competitive when it comes to signing Correa. And I am ok with that. I really don't want the Twins tying themselves to a big 8-10 year contract. Especially for a shortstop with three very good young prospects on the verge of making it. Yes, all three may not develop into better than average major leaguers. But odds are awfully good that one of Lewis, Lee or Miller will. So I put those dollars towards a few other holes and pray for better health. And should two of the above trio turn into something special, the Twins just may be awfully good. Those extra dollars will be needed to both add to future lineups and sign some of these young kids to extensions.

Recall your son is in Chattanooga, right? Perhaps the most memorable trip was one of their spring trips to Las Cruces, NM. Don't remember a lot about the games, but I will always remember going to Mesilla where we walked into this neat photography gallery. All the pictures were signed by Bob Lilly. We asked if it was 'the' Bob Lilly and was told yes. The gal went into the back room to get him and we talked for probably an hour. Was fun talking to one of the all-time greats who played for the Cowboys, me being from the Wisconsin Fox Valley (green bay area).

Very interesting young man, Seth. And thanks for bringing us something other than another article on getting that ACE pitcher followed by all the articles on catchers. Reading about him brought back lots of memories. Our son played for Denver U back in the 80's and I remember spending a wonderful long weekend in Grand Junction when they played Mesa State. The highlight for me, however, was spending some time away from the ballpark at several of the Peach groves in the area. Have always been a sucker for those fantastic Colorado peaches which grow along the Colorado River in the Mesa area. Must admit I knew nothing about this young man prior to watching this. Sounds like someone we just might get excited about next year and beyond.

Will second CRF’s comment. I remain hopeful that they get more games out of him next season as he really is capable of being a solid #1. Expect they would wait to extend him, if he is interested ?, until they see how healthy he is and how well Louie and SWR do in 2023.

To me, the only plan that matters is the one in the front office. And I suspect that plan has versions B, C, D and more. I hope like heck they don’t bring Correa back if it requires an 8 to 10 year deal. Also add me to the group who wants to see them strengthen the bullpen and find a real upgrade at catcher. As for shortstop, I am fine with a solid defender covering until Lewis or Lee is ready. I will also be surprised if the payroll exceeds last year. If Correa is gone, I see the payroll going down by at least $10M.

I have three reasons Jeffers should be no more than a solid backup. They are defense, defense and defense.

Very interesting. Don't know how much faith one should put into this data, sure seems like Luis Arraez should be the Twins first baseman for the next decade.

Interesting article. Have liked Raya since they drafted him, liked him alot. Looking forward to his making a big move next year, probably beginning with the Kernels with an early promotion to Wichita. Knew almost nothing about the other two. Both look like interesting bullpen candidates, if they cut the number of walks, cut them a lot. If not, AAAA may be their ceiling.

Jeffers has impressed defensively? Excuse me! Yes, he has a reputation for stealing strikes. But as LaTroy Hawkins once said, that is just bad umpiring. And that asset will go away when/if they get robo umps or some type of challenge system. Didn't he not throw out any runners until something like 20 successful steals? And I think I recall his first, the guy was safe until he overslid the bag. And I don't know about stats, but it sure seems like he allows way too many passed balls/wild pitches in the dirt. So to my old eyes, the guy is a bad defensive catcher, other than pitch framing.

Another great article, Nick. Thanks. To answer your question. EVER is a long time, so I would say it is likely. Doubt it will happen often, but will probably happen at some point. But my bigger question related to the Twins is that this article doesn't talk at all about defense. I don't know anything about Contreras, but whomever the Twins bring in must be great defensively, ie, work well with the pitching staff, block balls in the dirt and most of all...have a great arm so he can control the running game. I also believe that they don't need one catcher, rather three. They need catcher 1A to go with Jeffers who I see as 1B. They need someone like Leon, a veteran who will sign a minor league deal to work with their young pitchers at St. Paul and be available as an emergency callup should one of the main guys get injured. They also need a young prospect who hits a bit and is very good defensively. Someone like Rortvedt was, someone who is at least at AA.

Interesting question, Cody. Expect he is behind both Lewis and Lee on the Twins depth chart. Doesn't mean the Twins are interested in trading him. On the other hand, should someone offer the Twins a top return, better than many of us would expect, they will likely listen. I would be very surprised if they would even listen to trades for either of the LL boys. The Twins may also be wise to hang on to all three and see which of them turns into the best young player after reaching the active roster.

Great comparison. Could the Twins be so fortunate to get 10+ years of Radke type success from Ryan?

Yes, much of this is about the hitters. I for one am of the opinion that we need a better catcher and a shortstop to hold the spot until Lewis or Lee takes over come August. I expect AK, Polo, Larnach and Kepler will be the hitters we expect in 2023. I also believe that the Twins already have that pitcher everyone is talking about on their roster. He may not pitch 200 innings and won't be considered an ACE, but I believe that Maeda will be our top starter in 2023. There has always been something about the guys professionalism that puts him a step ahead of everyone else. I look for him to be back where he was in 2020 when he did get some Cy Young votes, didn't he?

This comment is written so bloody well I want to go out and celebrate. Thanks Squirrel.

Don't MLB teams have several trainers? If so, the average would be for all. This guy is the head trainer. Don't know, but expect their salary would be higher. Speaking of money, if he is this good why did Oakland let him go? Did the Twins offer him mega bucks?

The Brewers are going to be trading one of their two top starters because they are a small market team who had a disappointing year. Aren't the Twins also a small market (maybe mid) team who disappointed last year? My response to all three deals for a pitcher who will be gone after two seasons is NO, NO and NO. Not opposed to trading with the Brew Crew, but you included three of the four kids (Prielipp would be the fourth) that would be on my no trade list.

Good article that I am in complete agreement with. Love the Prielipp pick. Will continue hoping that he can be our 'Chris Sale,' and move accordingly. That would put him with the Twins come next August or September. Expect none of us are as disappointed about his injuries as Canterino is. Let's cross our fingers and say a few prayers that this young man can get back on track and realize his dream...whether that is becoming an ACE or just a real good pitcher.

Thanks for a great interview, Ted. How can you not love this kid. Continue to be hopeful that he will accomplish all his goals and we will see him at Target Field late next summer. Just thinking about the Twins middle infield prospects, the Twins have to be drooling with Lewis, Martin, Lee and Julien all getting close. Have to believe that foursome will impact what they do, or don't do, about the shortstop situation on opening day. God willing, they will all be healthy next year and we will again enjoy baseball for the entire season.

No one, Cody, other than the guys running the front office know whether or not Polo is a trade candidate. Yes, you state many reasons why it could make sense. The fact is, this young man has been a huge part of much of the Twins recent success and I for one would be heartbroken should they trade him. And no, I don't believe they need to trade Polo, or anyone, for another top pitcher as I am comfortable with their current staff. Another reason why he will probably stay is they just may view him as their starting shortstop early next season until Lewis or Lee is ready to take the position. Of the players currently on their roster, he is the most likely candidate for that role.

Thanks for the comment, Finn. You said exactly what I was thinking. Unlike many, I was elated every time I checked a box score and saw Enlow with 3 or 4 innings pitched. Really didn't care what the results were, the important part was that he was on the mound pitching. Will second, or third, the comment that if he has a bad 2023, then yes remove him from the 40-man. Question, Cody? When did Canterino have his surgery? Won't he be back sometime during the season? Can he have a season similar to what Enlow had this year? At least as far as innings pitched?

I don't often disagree with you, Nick. But today I must. I don't see it as unacceptable should they not acquire someone on this list or better. Unlike many here, I am 100% comfortable with them going to opening day with the arms they have who are capable starters...Gray, Mahle, Maeda, Ryan, Ober, Paddack (come August), Winder, Varland and SWR. I am more concerned that they get at least one very good late inning reliever for the bullpen AND get a catcher who will be at least 1A with Jeffers as 1B. Should they sign one of these as insurance, I would prefer he be a lefty and one of the younger from your group. Like many above, I would be excited should they sign Rodon or someone close who would battle Gray for the #1 spot in the rotation. I just don't feel the winter will be lost if they don't.

I wish I could more than 'like' these comments, gman. I don't know why Rocco removes starters when he does. What I do believe, however, that if this is his game plan they need to rework their entire pitching plan. If starters are going to only pitch 4-5 innings, max, then they should transition to a four man rotation. As I read here yesterday I think, develop at least three relievers who are able to pitch 2-3 innings. Then, turn the game over to the late inning guys in the 7th or 8th innings. If they don't develop those long guys, they will again burn out the bullpen and games will be lost in the late innings.

I am not as concerned as you, Nick, should the Twins not acquire that top starter. And no, I will not agree that by not doing so they are forfeiting their chances of making the playoffs and beyond. I also will not be surprised if they bring back one of their two free agent signings from last year. Both were coming off periods where they were injured and hadn't pitched all that much. Although their innings were limited, both got thru the 2022 season with some degree of success. I won't be surprised, nor disappointed, should they bring either of them back although Archer would be my preference. Should they go into opening day with a rotation of Gray, Mahle, Maeda, Ryan and Ober, I am of the opinion that they can win with that group. After all, that supposed ACE is only going to play in every fifth game and should they remain healthy, this group has four others that can compete well against most other team's second thru fifth starters. Should they bring Archer/or/Bundy back, they would provide depth along with Winder and Paddack when he returns in August. Add Louie and SWR as promising young studs who have pitched for the Twins and I see this as an excellent group. Thus, my main concern going into 2023 remains finding one more top arm for the bullpen and a catcher who will start more games than Jeffers.