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A lot can happen in the next 30+ days. Does Cruz stay healthy and continues hitting as he has the first 2+ months. Does an AL team that has a serious chance of being in the playoffs, probably one of six or seven teams, have an injury or disappointment and can legitimately believe that bringing on Cruz WILL give them that bit of nudge to make the playoffs and be able to take a real run at the Series. In that case, the Twins should move him for his sake as much as what they can get in prospects. He just may be the best option out there and should there be two teams that meet this description...the return might be better than we think, maybe a lot better.

So many unknowns, John. Really about 41 days too soon to think about this. The Twins lost a ton of money in 2020. The Pohlads stepped up and said they are treating it as a one time loss and won't try to recover it by cutting future payrolls. With the early season COVID restrictions and now poor play, 2021 attendance is going to be low. Will they surpass 1,000,000? With a $130M+/- payroll, that means another healthy loss, although it could be reduced should they move a couple bigger contracts at the deadline. Hopefully, they will approach next year as this year and treat the 2021 losses as a sunk cost. I like the lineup you have projected for 2021 and can see the Twins fielding a competitive team while spending less than 2021, perhaps much less. But we won't have a good feel for what the ownership/FO will be doing until after the trading deadline.

It has also been some time since we have seen a healthy Max Kepler. Although he may never again have a season like 2019, expect a typical year is a lot closer to that than the start of this year when he seemed to be battling various injuries since spring training. I also think it is unlikely that Kirilloff will be competing for a corner outfield spot. I expect him to be the Twins primary first baseman sometime after this year. When I consider how solid Max is defensively, I want to see him as part of the regular lineup next year and beyond.

Nice day to sweep down on the farm. Am I correct and only the Saints are under .500? And they are close. Thanks for today's report, Matt. Someone can correct me if my memory fails, but didn't Rooker start his last full season (2019) slow before heating up and tearing the cover off the ball the last part of the season? Although there wasn't a season, that is kind of what happened last year when he hit well with the Twins after spending much of the summer in St. Paul. If 2021 is an instant replay of 2019-2020, he still may be a good choice to be a future Twins DH. Check the Kernels box score every day to see how Javier did. Another nice game, 1-4 with a walk, run scored and two driven in. Expect none of us have been more disappointed than he in what his career has been to date. Just keep hoping like heck that he is turning the corner and becomes that stud shortstop the Twins need starting in 2023. Remember Laweryson was one of those guys to seemingly come out of nowhere and do really well back in 2019. I know he has been MIA until making his first appearance last week. Give him a couple more outings and he looks like he just may be pitching as well as two years ago.

Buxton plays.........Twins win! I don't want to think about what has been written in the Strib, here and elsewhere. Yes, I understand moving him if he really has no interest in an extension. Same for Berrios. But I continue to believe that the two B's could/should be the foundation around which the next winning Twins team is build around. And a lot of the parts for that team are either here or a short distance away, so it doesn't have to be a real long rebuild. Yes, they may have to overpay a bit and yes, Buxton is gonna miss a bunch of games. Please get it done!

Thanks for the report Allen. Watched most of the Wichita game last night. Have been saying for the past couple outings that Balazovic just looks like a top of the line major league starter. After watching Winder last night, got the same feeling. Really liked how he worked himself out of a couple sticky situations. Springfield had several stolen bases and a bunt single against the shift to put runners in scoring position. Other than the one kid stealing home, he seemed to be in control of the situation and worked out of them. Also was impressed with the defensive play of Palacios. Seemed smooth charging the ball with strong accurate throws to first. Also great to see from the box score that Javier had another night with a hit, run scored and 2 rbi. Great seeing him having some success!

I am afraid you hit it right on, Cap. And the unfortunate truth is that you explained why Berrios has been betting on himself as he goes out to free agency. So the Twins are screwed...no way to sign him now and they can't compete come 2022/2023 offseason. So I guess you have described the reason it makes a ton of sense to trade him next month. Had they been in the hunt, would make sense to wait until the offseason, but with them out of it...the FO should work the phones long and hard. The good news is that you described several wealthy teams who should have an interest.

I don't want to think about what could happen with Buxton. We don't trade him and he won't sign an extension this winter. The 2022 season doesn't happen and Buxton is a free agent a year from this November. He signs with Team X, say the Yankees and goes on to play 155 games in 2023, hitting around .290 with 35 home runs, 120 runs scored, 40 doubles, 100 RBI and 40 stolen bases...while picking up his second platinum glove and first MVP. You know that's what is going to happen?

I know I have talked about this before. But curious what Seth can add about Miranda's defense at third. I recall that Bechtold was always thought to be the better of the two defensively. With Bechtold at third most nights, would expect that remains true. Does Seth or anyone else know whether Miranda's defense at third is adequate or better so he can be considered a future replacement/fill in for Donaldson? If it isn't, second base has so much competition on the Twins...at least today.

Always interested in seeing how Schulfer does when he starts. After all, he is a Wisconsin kid from the Stevens Point area and UWM. Another good night for Javier with two hits and a sac fly. If he can hit for an average of over .270 with some power, he could be the Twins shortstop of the future considering Seth's comments that he is plus, plus defensively. Also good seeing Urbina getting some hits most games. He is so young and hadn't played since he was in the DSL two years ago. Does anyone know whether his defense is adequate or very good? I see he has five stolen bases and was thrown out twice. Does he have plus speed?

Thought this was a great article, Ted, until I started reading the comments. I really want to see the Twins keep Berrios and build a starting rotation that can win around him. But will agree with those who say that if he isn't reasonable in his demands, they need to move him...now. And by reasonable I see accepting a deal that is more, but close, to what the market would consider fair. I do have one question. You state that Berrios is not among the top ten pitchers in the game. I don't know who you consider top 10, but I have a feeling many of us would take him over a couple of those guys you may have around 7-10. Really like the comments Major League Ready made regarding the return from a trade, when you include spending most of the dollars you would pay Berrios on another free agent(s) because the prospects will all be at minimum when they arrive. Interesting thought! Tampa doesn't have the dollars and can't do that, the Twins can so they should be even better than the Rays. The Twins 2021 season is over, now let's watch the fun surrounding this team as management attempts to fix their problems.

Love this concept and want to see the Twins do something along those lines. Especially if they are trying to keep Ober, and perhaps others who didn't throw a lot last year, to reduced innings.

Thanks, Seth, for clarifying that. But they could have kept him had they put him on their 40-man, right? Haven't taken a look at who they did add or didn't. Do you know anything about the quality/number of their adds last year and if Palacios wasn't at the same level? Thanks again for the clarification. Just went and looked at his numbers the two years he was with the Tampa organization (2018-2019). Certainly weren't at the level he was while with the Twins. Considering how well he is now doing at AA, sure is a puzzle, albeit a pleasant one.

Don't know what to think of Palacios. Just don't understand Tampa as you don't expect them to make mistakes. But sure looks like releasing Palacios was a mistake. Could the Twins be so fortunate to benefit from it? Great seeing Wander Javier put his 0 for night behind him with a nice four bagger in his 1-3 night, plus a walk. Feel like it is almost time to get back on his bandwagon...maybe a couple more weeks of getting a hit or two most nights. Great seeing a first hand report from darwin22, thanks. Sure seems like the Wichita team is the brightest spot in the Twins organization this year. Also seems like it is time for Moran to be moving on. Really want to see him in a Twins uniform come August.

The part that I don't know, nor I expect do a lot of other people. That is the thought process/negotiation into accomplishing the results you speak of. How do they select and talk the other team into parting with those players with minimal or no MLB experience who end up doing very well. Yes, they don't always succeed, as in the Odorizzi trade. But they seem to do very well more often than not.

And their success is a head scratcher, at least for me. Their payroll is what, a bit over half what we have and a fraction of the big guys. Yet, look at the AL East, Tampa vs. the big spenders. Don't know how they do it? Sure hope like heck our FO would be trying to figure it out and duplicate.

Understand the Twins playing it extra careful in his return. Should he play a day or two early and go back on the IL for the next couple weeks, think of that would do to their ability to get a max return in a trade. Give him a couple more days to be 100% healed, then get back on the field for two or three weeks of great baseball leading up to a BIG trade. Still want to see them sign him long term. Beginning to understand that probably ain't gonna happen.

When healthy, Buxton is the best center fielder in baseball. Probably one of the best five position players in the game. Therefore, every contending team should have an interest in adding him to their lineup. Granted, center is a bigger need for some, but the market should be a lot more than the four listed above. With that said, I want Byron Buxton to sign an extension and stay with the Twins for the rest of his career. Don't know where Reusse got his information and if it is anything more than his opinion. If it is solid and there is zero chance Buxton signs an extension, he should be traded this summer. The return should be HUGE, hopefully, our FO will be smart about what they get in return and it helps the Twins get back into contention within the next year or two. If he is traded, I will be rooting for whatever team he is playing with come October.

Watched Balazovic for the first few innings. Just has the look of a top of the line MLB starter. Will take another year, but should join the Twins mid-season 2022. Expect there will be lots of openings next year. Also really liked what I saw of Miranda. I guess Javier was due for an 0 for after a nice string of games. Hopefully, he will get back on the hitting track tonight so his good streak won't return to the sub .200 we have seen the last few years. After reading questions here about the 2019 draft and Fort Myers pitching, took a look at their roster while watching the game last night. I think I counted 7 pitchers on their roster who were drafted in 2019. Or was it 9?

Gotta feel for Jax. Has been a starter his entire life and is now working out of a bullpen, not knowing when or if he will pitch. Plus, the adrenalin had to be pumping coming into a game down 5-0. As for the Twins, can we now put a fork into all talk of their getting back into the hunt?

OK, Seth, a couple more questions. Don't know if any of this has been decided, but when is this year's draft and how many rounds? Will the players back in Fort Myers and scheduled for the GCL be playing any games? If so, will it be more of a fall league following the draft? Had heard that the Appy League was going to be some type of wood bat league for guys leaving college to get exposure before the draft. Is that happening? Assume three of last year's draft class plus the couple guys signed are in Fort Myers. How many of the 2019 class are there?

DMan wrote............I think I am back on the Wander Javier bandwagon. He has been in my doghouse for so long though that I need to give it just a little more time. Very happy to see him doing so well. Well enough that the Twins will likely have to add him to the 40 man this year. You hit my feelings about Javier right on the head, Dman, although I will be back on the bandwagon more quickly than you. Hope like heck you are right and after years he becomes the stud we all were hoping for however many years ago.

Thanks, Seth. Didn't realize it wasn't a player chosen by you or your group. And yes, it is written as the "Twins POW."

Correct me if I am wrong, Seth, but aren't both Tulsa and Omaha the first place teams in their divisions? Am surprised with your Player of the Week, Steer. Seems to me that two of his teammates, Isola and Javier, had noticeably better stats for the week. Sure going to be interesting to see what changes you do make to your Top 20. With three or four losing prospect status and a few others destined to take a dive, lots of room for young guys to move up. I would think that Miranda needs to move up, a lot. Also see Javier moving back into the Top 10...assuming he continues hitting like he has however long it is until you vote. When I look at your Top 20, am surprised that Winder isn't on the list. Seems like another guy who belongs in your Top 10. Expect others you are going to have to take a hard look at include Steer, De La Trinidad and a few of those pitchers down at Fort Myers. Will be interesting to see what you do with guys like Sabato, who sure would drop if I were doing this. Thanks for another great report, Seth. I sure don't see any need to change anything.

For those of you old enough to remember Howard Cosell on Monday night football, you will remember his color guy, Dandy Don Meredith. He had a song he used to sing late in blowout games..."Turn out the lights, the parties over. All good things come to an end." That song sure as heck applies to where the Twins are this year and it isn't even the end of June. Our fun the next three months will be speculating and watching whatever moves the Twins make. For me, they can't begin soon enough.