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Kirilloff is one of the three best defensive first basemen in the league? Having not watched many games last year, is surprising for me...the good kind. If he is that good at first, average in the outfield and Sano is not good at first, easy decision. Add the potential of AK's bat and it seems logical that he is in the lineup at first every game except when injured or needing a day off. Does Sano get the nod on those days?

Why is everyone assuming there will be a salary floor? Sure, it has been mentioned. But if there is a hard floor, you know the owners are going to insist on some type of cap other than the current tax. Do you really think the players will accept anything resembling a hard cap? Although I could be 100% wrong, I don't see that happening in this negotiation.

Thanks Doc for a nice recap of what is needed. Will they do it? Only time will tell. Although I have never been a huge fan of Pineda, I understand he does like it here and has pitched well, when available. So I have no problem with them bringing him in to go with a trade. I would prefer that they do a good job of discovery and put together another trade similar to either the Odorizzi or Maeda trades. One required only a secondary prospect, whereas Maeda took more powder. Either works for me, but I don't see some big blockbuster deal for one of the big names from the Reds or A's. If they are successful, we should get a solid starter who I am not familiar with. As for shortstop, I continue to believe/hope that Lewis is the long-term answer. Yes, he isn't going to be ready on April 1. So I would go with Polanco/Gordon sharing shortstop with Polanco moving back to second full time when Lewis arrives in late spring or early summer. More important will be MLB figuring out how all of us who have cut the cord with cable can watch the Twins in 2022. If they don't, doesn't make a hell of a lot of difference to me what they do prior to opening day.

Interesting, thanks Seth. I have read conflicting comments about the lockout. Do you know if the Fort Myers complex is open and available to minor league players?

Don't discount Rortvedt's bat, Cody. Yes, he is a defense first catcher because his D is very, very good. But he should have begun last year at AA, moving to AAA mid-season. Everyone, including the Twins, knew he wouldn't hit when forced up to the Twins. But it was a great experience and he had real nice stretches with the bat when finally moved back to St. Paul. Agree that he will/should begin 2022 at St. Paul and be ready to move back to the Twins when needed due to injury or a trade. Unlike most, I see this Verona, Wisconsin native as a future Twins catcher who will either share the job or be the #1 guy. Agree that there isn't a lot of recognizable prospects behind him, probably something they should be working on in this year's draft and International signings.

They won't let me like this twice, Mike. Thanks!

Will second TopGunn's comments and add one. I continue to hope/dream that Lewis will become the Twins version of Derek Jeter. Great person, leader, super athletic, great ballplayer and winner. It's all there, now he just needs the opportunity to get on the field and show us. Yes, his 2019 minor league season was a disappointment, a huge disappointment for a #1 prospect. But let's remember that he followed that up by earning the Arizona Fall League MVP. When you look at who the previous MVP's were, it is an impressive list. Add to that his reported excellent play in St. Paul during the messed up 2020 season and you have a run of impressive play covering parts of two years. I know, that's the positive way of looking at it as opposed to the negative 2019 stats. So be it, with everything else going on in baseball and the world, I choose to be postive.

Damn shame that there couldn't be more joy to go with how happy Buxton appeared at his signing press conference. Instead of happiness for all Twins fans, baseball shut down with the Twins having done very little to help him reach his #1 goal next year. Yes, they appear to have money to spend, just not certain what is left to spend it on.

Finally! Congrats!

I like to stay away from speculating about trading X for Y. Way beyond my pay grade. But you do pose an interesting question. As for an answer? I don't have a clue who, but expect the Twins will have a player playing shortstop come opening day. I do have one question that stuck out from your post, at least to me. Texas signed Seager to a 10-year $325M contract. Where do they get the revenue for such a move? Does their new stadium give that much more revenue than say the Twins and other similar non major market teams?

It doesn't need to be a contract. The two sides could agree to one, reduce the bonus structure as part of the agreement; provided the owner's unilaterally increase minor league salaries by X, Y and Z at the various levels. Yes, the owner's could later change back, but there has to be some good faith or we ain't gonna see baseball for a long time.

Could be great move. And it could be a bust, but if so it isn't that much money. Don't have a clue what Bundy's role will be come opening day, whenever that will be. Have a feeling, however, that the FO will be looking at their pitching needs much different than most of us would like. Wouldn't be surprised if they see three spots filled by the foursome with some experience, Dobnak, Ober, Ryan and Jax. If three of that four don't get it done, they can look to whomever is ready from Strotman, Winder, Duran, etc., with Maeda ready come August. Whenever this stoppage ends, have a feeling there isn't going to be as much done on the starting pitching front as most of us/you want. Maybe one more from either the FA market or a trade.

Personally, I believe both sides of this deal are out in left field. But isn't that the way most labor negotiations begin, ie, a work stoppage and both sides claiming the other side is, well, I can't type what I am thinking. We just went thru the worst part of a pandemic, and when baseball should have been first out of the gate they weren't because the two sides couldn't get together. Yes, there was fault on both sides, but in my view it was about 60/40 on the players. So here we are a year plus later and the sport I love to watch has ground to a halt. Whoops, that was a typo because I can no longer watch it without going out to Chammps and hell, my Chammps is also closed. With all that said, I will make one suggestion to solving a small part of this. Agree with those, and I suspect the owners, that don't want to lessen the six years of control. Will also agree that there should be more money to the players who are really contributing during those first three years. So yes, increase the minimum. But have a stepped up minimum with say $600k for first year players, $750k for second year and $900k for third year. That would give young players a lot more cash during their first couple years. It would also mean that players need to contribute, if they are only marginal they will get replaced sooner.

I am surprised that the Twins didn't sign Pineda prior to the lockout. To be honest, don't know what it means that they didn't.

I found Mr. Manfred's letter well written, as I would expect. Also agree that most of his points are legitimate. Expect the players could submit a similar letter with other points that would also have merit. I would say, however, that your response is both combative and not constructive. Glad you aren't at the table as I fear we would never again see baseball.

Got a question, Ted, regarding your comment about a "a glut of corner outfield talent behind Kepler." My question is, who? Yes, Trevor Larnach is a good prospect, maybe great prospect, who is nearly ready. But with the likelihood that Kirilloff is their first baseman, there is also a need in left field for Larnach to fill. I guess some will include Austin Martin, but right now we don't have a clue where they think he will fit in or when he will be ready. By trading Kepler, you would be creating two open corner outfield spots with one good/great prospect who is almost ready. Who moves into that other spot? I keep seeing lots of people make this comment and for the life of me, I don't have a clue who those other great prospects are that are close to being ready to form that 'glut.'

Appears to be a solid bat. And at only 25 years old, could have some more upside. On the other hand, if the Saints are the only team playing in the Twins Cities next spring it makes sense to get them some good players not on the 40-man.

Very interesting that all of your lineup are presently in the Twins organization with only Sano needing to be extended to still be around in '25. Like Nashville, I would expect Rortvedt to split the catching duties or even be the main guy as his defense is much better. A few of the younger kids will need to continue improving towards their ceiling. Hopefully, one or two will max out and become a real star. What your presentation really says, however, is that any position players the Twins bring in should be on very short contracts, ie, next year's shortstop. Do you envision Arraez still being around as a utility guy and part-time DH?

Agree with your logic and goal of competing in 2022. Heck, give a couple of the regulars their best years and who know what happens. Have always been someone fearful of giving up top prospects, yet knowing that probably over half never produce as expected/hoped for. If a trade does occur, I would expect that it could include Lewis Thorpe. Seems to have worn out his welcome with the Twins, yet, he must have some value or he would have been included in the recent purge. Not going to go into speculating who would be included for pitcher X, other than to believe that Thorpe could be included as a minor part of any trade.

The one thing missing from your list, Cody, was a slick fielding shortstop. Maybe there is one and you didn't include him. Maybe they are in such demand that they stuck with their teams.

Maybe someone knows more about this than I, but today's Strib suggested that non-tendering someone makes them a free agent, ie, they do not go thru waivers, they do not collect $200. In that case, they can immediately be signed to a minor league contract...although I would suspect they would want to test the market for a big league contract.

There also remains the possibility they won't find a job and the Twins can sign one or all of the three to minor league contracts. The article in today's Strib hinted as that may be in the works for Megill, although it stated the Twins didn't respond to that question.

A bit surprised they didn’t offer three. Certainly more than I expected. And kind of crazy one was claimed, what earlier today? Wondering if they negotiated with all three and weren’t able to get their number? So they now have three open spots for Rule 5 and/or free agents. Probably still need one or two more.

The split contract remains in effect even though he cleared waivers? If so, agree with those above that the $300k minor league payday may have caused some to back off claiming him. Both interesting and smart. Who knows, may set the AAA on fire and be back, or not!

Tender all of them, Seth. Question? If they tender a contract, can they later DFA to open a spot on the 40-man when adding free agents?