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Curious if he mentioned Instructional camp. Will the Twins have one? If so, will he be going?

No interest in signing any of these guys. First and foremost, put next year’s money to Buxton, pitching and more pitching. And the Twins already have a middle infielder who hits as well as any of these guys. Have zero problem going into 2022 with either Polo, Gordon or some fairly priced good defensive shortstop. No one knows if Lewis or Martin is the answer for 2023 and beyond, but they should have a good idea by mid-summer.

Tough description as a Willingham, Cuddyer type. In my ole eyes, those were two totally different players. Willingham had lots of power and not much else. Cuddy also had power, albeit not as much. But Cuddy also hit for average, doubt he struck out as much and although not fast was a very good right fielder with a great arm...who also was more than adequate at first, second and third. He did win a batting title in the other league, didn’t he?

Could any of us foresee a starting outfield come next August of Martin, Buxton and Lewis?

So much talk about Jax being at best a bullpen arm. Others continue to downplay his potential. Come on folks, lets remember how little this young man has pitched and that he didn't pitch in 2020....at all. My point being that he needs innings and experience to continue his development. Should that be as a starter or in the pen, I don't have a clue. What I do know is that this young man may, yes, I said MAY, just be scratching the surface of what he can become. And age means nothing with this young man because when everyone else from his draft year was beginning their careers, he was finishing his education at the AFA before serving his (and our) country for a two year stint in the Air Force.

Call me greedy, Nick, but I'll take all four of the above...please. The good news on Lewis is that when playing his last baseball he was the best player in the league while playing with the best minor league players in the game. Do you know if he will be participating in the Twins Instructional Camp this fall? Assuming they have one?

Love the method you use to work through this. Add me to those who believe the Twins are higher on Jax than many fans. Also, that one or both of Thorpe and Smeltzer have played their last games for the Twins...unless they sign a minor league contract after not being claimed. Seriously doubt that Javier will get added. As you said, this summer was better but not by so much that he would now be added. Palacios, now there is an interesting question? I doubt it, but wouldn't be shocked.

Thanks for the report, Seth. Interesting that Bechtold is working on catching. Is this meant to be an extra tool so he would be available as an emergency catcher...kind of like Eduardo Escobar used to be. Or is he contemplating a position switch. Great having meaningful baseball back. Will TD be bringing us daily reports?

Seeing the Twins only send seven players, shouldn't you have included all of them? Who are the other two? As for Wallner, would have been good to include his number of AB so we better knew how bad his strike out numbers really are, or aren't? Don't see anyone from this group repeating what Lewis did two years ago. But should be a great experience for all. Hopefully, one of those lefties has a nice October and keeps rising up the ladder.

Isn't accomplishing these goals the job of the front office? Although I would take a late inning reliever who doesn't have to close and don't see the need for a shortstop, like the other 5 steps.

Like your comment, but like TwinsDr2021 would have added the word 'nearly' before mlb ready pitchers at AAA and AA.

Will be interesting to watch this winter to see if Toronto can get Berrios signed to an extension. I understand that he has good memories of his time with the Twins, so I see no reason why the Twins wouldn't be in the hunt to resign him a year from now, if available. Agree with Doc above that the trade was the right decision and we got an excellent return. As I watched a few of the Wind Surge games, kept expecting to be more impressed by Martin. You know, thought he should be putting up numbers like Miranda. But then I sat back and thought about his situation. Drafted #5 overall in 2020 with no place to play, so he sat. Then rather than beginning his career at low-A, he began at AA. Not certain I remember any Twins ever beginning their careers at AA. Where there any? So this kid may just develop into one heck of a player, wherever he ends up on the diamond. And the pitcher was also at AA as a 20-year old. Yes, Berrios brought a huge return!

Its a shame the TD system doesn't allow me to give this piece 'two' likes. Thanks, Doc.

Personally have a problem with Duff and Gant projected at the same dollars. Gant’s role on my team would be competing for a long relief role. If Buxton could only expect $7.3M thru arbitration next year, a five year contract beginning next year with a $14M base and healthy bonuses for games played should get his attention.

Yes, growing up on a Central Wisconsin farm in the 50's, was a huge fan. Had to listen to games on radio and got to see one game a year, but remain a huge fan of Spahn, Henry, Eddie and the crew. He spoke at my son's Legion banquet a few years before passing. One of the most interesting people I have ever met. I guess the best description would be a bit crusty, but what a life. What most people don't know about is his service in WWII and the medal he won for what he did in combat.

A while back I was talking with a former big league pitcher. When someone else asked about why he was successful without throwing all that hard his response was basically that how hard you threw didn't mean squat. Rather, you needed to be a pitcher. Considering he was an old leftie who I believe won more big league games than any lefty ever, enough said about the subject in mine....err, his opinion.

Booooooo. But probably good for him!

Interesting facts, Johnny. MSP is a mid-market, so having the 17th biggest payroll is about where they could be expected to spend. Now finishing last in what arguably was the worst division in baseball says there were reasons other than payroll for their failure.

Many believe they will bring Pineda back, probably on a two year contract. With Maeda returning late this year and lots of good prospects arriving the next couple years, a Kluber or Thor one year deal may be the perfect fit for a year in which the Twins could surprise. Kluber/Thor, Ryan, Pineda, Ober and Dobnak work for me as their opening day 5. Send Jax and Barnes to St. Paul as early depth before Maeda is ready for the stretch run come August. Add Winder and a few other prospects later in the year and the starting pitching should compete. Will the Twins?

When I read your comment about “roster scraps,” it pained my heart. These are all fantastic baseball players, just not among the best 780 in the world.

Do we know he wasn’t done at the same time? He was the only claimed, so we found about him while the others were in those X days of limbo.

Twins 40-man is at 48. Don't know about Sands, but those other four (Miranda, Lewis, Enlow and Winder) MUST be added. So that means they need to get down to 36, before opening spots for any free agent pickups or trades. That means that the Twins will need to cut, waive, release, trade 12 players on the current 40-man. That's one of four, its gonna be a blood bath. Expect a lot of young men are turning off their phones as they really do not want a call from the front office.

Interesting, Cody. Thanks. As I read this was thinking that Ryan should be at least second. But as I finished reading about Larnach and Kirilloff, nah! As much as 2021 was an absolute horse crap season for the Twins, and us fans, this is an awfully bright five some for 2022 and beyond. Considering you didn't include Celestino and Rortvedt, it gets even more exciting. Both were brought up way before they were ready, having never played a game at AAA, they did fine defensively. Matter of fact, it appears that Rortvedt is their best defensive catcher who should only get better. And both proved when they finally got to AAA that they can be counted on to be decent hitters a year or two down the road. And this group of seven doesn't include several other rookies who contributed in 2021, guys like Barnes and Jax. There have been a lot of very good pitchers who put up results similar to those two before taking that final step and becoming very good. Will they, who knows? Add a young Alcala to this group and you have a 10-man core who should be part of very good Twins teams over the remainder of the 2020's. Add a couple of the young guns who are close and Miranda, Lewis and Martin and the future is bright, oh so bright. Will they be back in the playoffs in 2022? Maybe, maybe not. But the rest of the decade sure should be fun.

If Buxton is around in 2022, and I also pray he will be, and healthy for 120+ games he will be one of the two or three best players in the game. Personally, I don't care where he is in the lineup as long as Arraez is one or two spots ahead of him.

And to think that when he was signed Polo was touted as a glove first shortstop. thanks for the excellent info on Thielbar. Not seeing the games this year, didn’t realize how dominant he was.