roger

Was saddened by your comment, Mike. Yes, Rortvedt shouldn’t have been in the majors last year. But he sure showed that his D is real. Agree that it would be best if he could get the first half of the year in AAA, but we will see. I am convinced he is going to be a regular catcher for the Twins for many years.

It is always sad when we lose a player we are fond of. Just read the post about the three wives, I guess they are gonna have to find a new third for their club. Is this a good deal, time will tell. But if they want to keep Polanco at second, as most here desire, they needed a shortstop. Sounds like this guy has the glove and speed to be better than ok. And catcher was a position of strength with Rortvedt being a great defensive guy who went thru his baptism at the big league level last summer and should be ready. Will Jeffers hit well enough to be the main guy, don't know. I guess the biggest question about this deal is, 1) what do we have for catching depth in the minors when one of the guys gets injured? and 2) will the pitcher develop into anything other than a prospect? Look for them to sign some veteran free agent as either the back-up and keep Rortvedt at St. Paul, or for St. Paul as an injury replacement. Most important, I am happy to see them do something. Now on to tomorrow and that pitcher we all are waiting for.

Great read, thanks. We often forget that the players are more than a slot on a roster and statistic, they have real lives and families.

Very confusing, Jeremy. Is it a lottery among the worst six teams only? Or as you hinted at, do all 30 teams participate in the lottery, with the best teams getting a tiny chance...say one of 50 balls in the hopper? Other sports have only those teams not advancing to the playoffs in the lottery, is that what baseball is doing? Expect we are going to have to wait and see something that is clear before knowing.

Sure is going to be interesting, Seth, and exciting. Something I mentioned yesterday, are there going to be problems signing Latin free agents? As I understand the VISA process, they cannot begin the process until they have a contract. It can then take anywhere from a few weeks to longer, and in some cases much longer. Considering they may not be available until after the season begins, will that procedure/problem come into play for players like Simmons? Or Nelson Cruz? Have you heard of any VISA problems with Latin players under contract? Are all/most already in Fort Myers? Now going to have to get to work to see how in the heck I can watch games this year on my tv as Hulu still doesn't have BSN.

The more I read, the Players made a ton of progress. And appears to my old eyes that most is both reasonable and probably over due. Haven’t seen what changes, if any, will reduce revenue sharing and ability of smaller teams to compete. Interesting that team reps voted 26-4 to accept and the Exec Committee voted 0-8 against. Maybe there was something to those rumors of certain agents trying to influence the outcome. Sounds like the players took control in the end. Hopefully that means it will be ratified.

Question? There are hundreds of unsigned free agents. I may be mistaken, but those foreign free agents cannot start the VISA process until they have a signed contract, right? And that process can then take weeks or longer. Expect there will be some free agents who won’t be in the country by opening day.

Hopefully, we will end up with a 154 game season. That's probably how long the season should be as it would enable opening day to be around April 10. Makes a heck of a lot of sense for all the northern teams. If it is true that there is a lot of fraud related to the current International process, a draft makes a ton of sense. Imagine, like the DH, it will take until the next CBA to get solved.

Thanks, Seth. Great read, hopefully they both can get on the field real soon!

Thank you for bringing the greatest leftie of all time into this conversation. Remember a banquet maybe 20 years ago when a kid asked him how hard he threw. His somewhat cranky response was that how hard you throw makes zero difference if you can put all of your pitches where you want, when you want. Loved that rotation of Spahn, Burdette, Buhl and Conley.

When MLB gets back in action, the Twins have lots of decisions and moves to make before opening day. But as these negotiations drag on, they have time to see what help may be available from St. Paul. Thus, their decisions regarding those needs could change. Great article and topic, should be one heck of a spring. Especially, if this drags on for more than a month and they can see some of these guys at CHS Field playing games. I don't see Smeltzer as someone I want to see back in a traditional starting rotation. But could he be part of a piggyback duo should the Twins go that route? As I read your comments about Martin I kept thinking, could Martin develop into someone similar to Paul Moliter? Could Moliter be a good comp for this young man?

Loved your comment, Mike, and agree with it 100%. I too remember that Burdette-Haddox game. Doubt I listened to the entire game, but know I heard some of it.

Seems like the FO has allowed the roster to become overloaded with bat first corner players. Drafting Rooker, Wallner and Sabato lines up more of the same. Team needs some work to get more balance around the diamond. How does this effect Garver? Not a lot of at bats available at first base or DH.

Interesting, and agree that it is long overdue. Am guessing, but expect the Twins annually sign 15-20 International kids. So a 20 round draft makes sense. Would still be able to have their scouts hunt for that kid who slips thru the cracks or hasn't yet developed. Sounds like each team would have their picks determined off a set schedule with neither their won-loss record or market size having nothing to do with it. I think I like that. Would they still be drafting 16 year old kids? Or would they move the age up to 18 to tie with the U.S. draft?

Count me among those who would like to see Jax continue as a starter to see if he can make that happen. Yet, your points, Cody, are all reasonable, Could the Twins be planning on using the piggy-back approach to their starter concerns? And if so, Jax appears to be a good part of one pair. Whether he opens and goes 2-3 innings, or comes in in the fifth to pitch 3 innings, could be a valuable part of this year's Twins pitching staff. Appreciate this young man's journey, coming out of the AFA and serving his nation (and ours) prior to getting on with his baseball career. Now let's hope like H that baseball can get back on the field so we can begin following actual Twins games.

If there is any truth to these allegations, it is downright disgusting. Hell, more than disgusting. Will we see baseball this year? Guess those minor league games should be fun. Damn shame that new 40-man guys with zero play in the big leagues can't be down at spring training and on the field opening day in AAA.

Wouldn't call him a sleeper, but I see Winder as being a key part of the Twins rotation...assuming there is baseball at some point.

Sano needs to move on from the Twins. Because if he is traded, say next week or this summer, he will then be free to become the super-star we all expected.

Agree with almost everything, Cody. And the truth is we don't have a clue where Arraez will be playing this year, either on the field with the Twins or even if he is still with the Twins. Personally, I love how he plays the game and want him to be with the Twins, at least until Martin AND Julien prove they are his equals. The one point I question deals with Polanco. Read so many comments that tie his hitting last year to being healthy and his health to the move to second base. Will agree that his hitting was likely the result of being healthy. But, we really don't know if his health had anything to do with the move to second, it may have been that the second ankle surgery finally fixed his problem and he would be fine, health wise, at short.

What a fantastic discussion. But are we missing something. Could the FO be planning on piggy-backing 8 starters with two pitching 3-4 innings each every fourth game? If they are, they might sign someone or do a lessor Odorizzi type trade. Or maybe they believe they have those 8 arms with a couple more likely ready by June?

Agree 100% with your main point, Cody. But as far as the trade mentioned is concerned, I see it as a big win for the Twins, especially if they could extend him. My reason is that I see minimal value in Cavaco or Strotman, and both Arraez and Duran’s health is a concern. For that reason, and because Martin and Julien are close I would pull the trigger on that trade in a New York minute.

What a fantastic report, Seth, thanks. Julien seems to me to be a prospect who not only can be special, but more important probably will. Love that OBP and his speed. Like Martin, he is an infielder who could be a great outfielder. A question, Seth, and an observation. First the question. Can this kid have a real chance of putting up .400 OBP throughout his career? Both Martin and Julien are versatile defensively, fast and great contact hitters. They both are likely to be better defensively than Arraez, also, much faster and most important healthier. I absolutely love Luis and his role with the Twins. But with Martin AND Julien almost ready, I could understand including Luis in a package for a very good, young starting pitcher. Doubt much will happen in the few weeks before the season gets going. But it may make sense come July, assuming they are playing come July.

My question. Is simple, has anyone ever graded PECOTA on their accuracy? How does it differ for young unproven guys vs. veterans, if at all?

Will be fun to see if Petty and Raya can move up thru the system together. And do it quickly.

A few of you touched on it, but chepettit19 may have hit it out of the park. We all are wondering why the Twins haven’t gone after more free agent starters? Could it be they have no intention of doing so? Levine hinted at this last fall. Will their bullpen have five guys with four starters and four long relievers/starters coming in after four innings to pitch the 5th thru the 7th or into the 8th. Could be interesting and would help with a team full of young guys with limited innings the past couple years.