Johnny Ringo

Polarizing? No, he wasn't. On Pagan, everyone was on the same pole.

Randy seems to be too nice of a guy to make jokes. But if he ever misbehaves, I've got some teed up. Mauer is going into the Twins' HOF this year. Rumor has it that Dobnak's agent is going in in 2024.

Apparently, the Reds grabbed Kennys out of the Mexican League because Jake Taylor was unavailable. That club is dangerously close to becoming the Guardians out of the movie Major League.

I think this is a short discussion. Gio had a 3.1 WAR last year. Miranda is an uncertain but likely an averagish defender at best at third. Trading Urshela for a bucket of balls was a screwup. Especially given that they purportedly had much higher trade interest than that in Kepler at one point. (That seems to have evaporated for now.) Keeping Max and ditching Urshela in that context and given their outfield options makes no sense. But you take the good with the bad. I think the Arraez trade (and I love Louie) was flatly a great one.

Isn't this how we got Pagan in the first place?

I love Nellie but I think the FO has arrived at the spot where the full-time DH doesn't make much sense anymore, particularly on this team where Buxton and Correa need time out of the field and Arraez is best leaving his glove at home. Also, Cruz has had a magic career but Father Time seems to be waiting for him. The Cutch move seems good for him and good for the game. If the Pirates can catch 10% of the Pujols 2022 magic it will provide some boost to their box office.

I am delighted to have Correa back. I also think this is a great contract for the Twins. Despite his trash can indiscretions, Carlos is just, full-stop, one of the position players in the game. But dumb luck is not a front office strategy and this is all this was. I didn't get the game plan last week and I don't get it now. But one one asked for my understanding or consent. Go get a right-handed bat and let's roll.

Fair enough, but at his age, the first year of this deal would probabilistically be his best. Also, he was signed after a huge number of chips were off the table. I think the Gallo signing is agnostic to the "compete now" consideration. Whatever the Twins can get for Kepler is worth more than the $1 million delta in their salaries (including Kepler's buy-out). That can be viewed just as good portfolio management (whether it works or not).

I have to say I have totally lost my understanding of the strategies of the front office. The Vasquez acquisition is a "compete now" move but there is nothing to suggest that we can compete. For instance, I think people don't appreciate how nightmarish our infield defense might be. Is Miranda even potentially an acceptable third baseman? Polanco is OK but is coming off a serious string of injuries. Farmer is pedestrian. I love Luis but he is at first because he has no place else to play. Signing Wacha would be another head-scratcher. It almost feels like a move to boost and simultaneously apologize for our payroll. Grandma gave us a twenty so we will spend it on something in the gift shop.

McCutchen is one of my favorite players of recent years and by all accounts a great guy, but the sun is setting on his terrific career. Doesn't if make sense to trade one of our seemingly endless supply of left-handed hitting corner outfielders for a young counterpart who is right-handed? However, if that trade capital is needed to get a quality shortstop, I would prioritize that. I am sure San Diego would part with Park at the right price. I wish people would let go of the "Lewis will be ready to go by June" mantra. The truth is we have no idea if Royce is a major leaguer let alone a long-term solution at shortstop. If he becomes the man than we have a high-class problem. But quality shortstops can always be flipped if Park becomes superfluous.

Is there any reason to believe the Twins really offered CC 10 years/$285 in the first place? Boras has every incentive to let that rumor live. He wants deep perceived interest for every client, whether it's real or not. Kate Upton was going to marry us if Verlander hadn't intervened. On Carlos and Kate, we need to move on folks. The business model is clear. Try to be 500ish, get in the playoffs if possible, sell beer and make money. I'm an ardent fan but I don't feel good about being complicit in the plan.

Same old. Down to stems and seeds again.

If Gleeman's long-suffering girlfriend does not want to know the future then she should not attend the Meltdown.

The Correa episode confirms that the Pohlad boys view the club as the family Italian restaurant they inherited. They will just keep shoveling out the same mediocre spaghetti and meatballs and they are convinced that Minnesota fans will continue to eat it.

Fun fact: Nick Punto had the exact same career WAR (15.5) as Twins' Hall of Famer Dan Gladden. The only difference? By all reports, Nick is a really nice guy.