LA VIkes Fan

I like the original lineup with Polanco leading off more than having Buxton lead off. Buxton has speed but I doubt if we are going to ask him to steal much given the injury risk. Buxton strikes out too much for a lead off guy and doesn't have a real high OBP (last 3 years - .267, .358 and .306) and is projected for a .313 OBP this year. On the other hand, he provides power as a #4 and coverage for a #3 hitter, particularly if he hits behind a young guy like Larnach, Miranda or Kirilloff. Lead off Polanco and hit Buxton3 or 4.

Yes. I think of all the candidates that Sands makes the most sense to transition to the bullpen. I just don't think his "stuff" is good enough to navigate through a lineup 2 to 3 times a game over the course of the season. He is already 26 and I just don't see him improving enough to be an MLB starter. On the other hand, I think Winder, Varland, SWR, Headrick, and even Dobnak have enough that they can become at least decent mid- rotation starters, maybe Dobnak as a backend guy. I even like to see Henriquez get a little more play in the AAA starting rotation, although I think he winds up in the bullpen eventually. My plan would be to start this season with Aaron Sanchez in the bullpen as a long man/multi-inning guy with Megill in the AAA bullpen as a late inning short man. I would have Sands filling a long man/multi-inning role in AAA to start the season to get him ready to fill that role at the MLB level when the inevitable need arises. This would be more of a transition year with the long-term goal to make Sands a regular bullpen fixture in a multi-inning role.

That's the guy. Now, Kenny "Sodbuster" Jay was no George "Scrap Iron " Gadaski but he was still a regular. I think Kenny Jay and George Gadaski might even have been a tag team at one point. I have this weird memory of them wrestling Jesse Ventura and maybe Adrian Adonis, Nick Bockwinkle or maybe even Hulk Hogan... Clearly I watched waaaay too much All Star Wrestling in my formative years.

Well said. I like Solano and think signing him was smart. He has a definite role on this team and will help make us better. Having said that, Gordon is more important to the Twins IF last year was real. I won't repeat the statistics but he had a very solid year for a MLB OF and may be in the ascendency. He would be very valuable if he stays where he is and could be a core player if he continues to improve. I think we can expect him to improve as a defensive an OF as he gets more experience. He is one of the players that gives one hope that this team is improving and could go on a run as a truly competitive team. Gordon probably won't be a central player in that team, but he could be a complimentary piece that helps it succeed.

You of course mean "The Very Capable Kenny Jay"?

You may be right on Farmer - although he was the Reds starting SS for more than a year - but attach Kepler and now we have a package that speaks to the Dodgers needs, According to MLB trade values that package is worth a good MLB reliever in his 20s like Caleb Ferguson plus another guy like Andre Jackson or, if we add an A or AA guy with potential (Headrick?), could get us a rising SP prospect like Ryan Pepiot. Just trying to improve the club by trading from surplus to fill our short and long term bullpen or our medium to long term SP needs. I do agree that this is more likely to be a topic in June IF Farmer performs well and Rojas plays like I expect - pretty well in the field, black hole at the plate. The Dodgers lineup is not anywhere near as strong this year and it will be hard for them to carry a no hit SS. Rojas is 34, and fell off a cliff last year with the bat. A revival could happen, but is unlikely. The Dodgers do not rebuild. They expect to be in the playoffs and contend for the division title. That may be hard to do with Rojas playing every day.

I started a blog on this earlier today. I said there - Kyle Farmer is a starting quality MLB SS will fill a bench role for the Twins this year. While he is valuable in that role, his biggest value might have just come in - as a trade chip to the Dodgers to replace Gavin Lux at SS after Lux tore his ACL yesterday. The Dodgers other option is 34-year-old Miguel Rojas who they acquired from the Marlins before spring training. You have to think the Dodgers are looking for a starting caliber SS that's locked into a reserve role on another team, particularly one who can be a 1 or 2 year option while Lux recovers or they get a free agent next winter. Voilà! 32-year-old longtime starting SS Kyle Farmer seems to meet all of those criteria. Interestingly enough, the Dodgers could also use a proven outfielder. They do have Mookie Betts in right, but are looking at an aging Chris Taylor and an unproven Trayce Thompson to play center with a very unproven James Outman in left. It seems like a respected veteran like Max Kepler might be a good fit. I think there's a real possibility that Kyle Farmer becomes a trade talking point between the Twins and the Dodgers. It would not surprise me if Kepler is also in the discussion. The Dodgers have a deep farm system particularly in pitching and catching. I do think there's a match. May be a Caleb Ferguson or Andre Jackson might be a good piece for Farmer. Add Kepler and maybe you can get Outman, Landon Knack, or Nick Mastrini or 1 of them plus someone a little farther down the list? Who knows, maybe there's a way to pry Ryan Pepiot away if you offer, Farmer, Kepler and maybe a solid AA guy. I think there's a real opportunity here for the Twins to trade what are now somewhat redundant pieces - a 32-year-old starting caliber Shortstop who will be relegated to a reserve role for the one year he is with the team and a 30-year-old good fielding, roughly average hitting outfielder for whom there seemed to be adequate replacements. The Dodgers are a win now team that needs both those kinds of players. What you guys think? I expect the Dodgers to try Rojas and find him wanting. I also expect them to do whatever is necessary to contend so I think they'll be looking by June. Maybe then we can trade farmer with Lewis hopefully on the way?

Thanks for the comments. I think the real issue behind whether this is even an option is the value of Farmer. The Dodgers don't have much in the SS pipeline ready for this year. I went to MLB trade values and a Farmer plus Kepler for Caleb Feguson and Andre Jackson deal is about right. There, Famer and Kepler almost equals Ryan Pepiot and does if we throw in Cavaco or Schobel. All a fantasy, but it would be interesting to know if the FO is reaching out to the Dodgers or, even better, if the Dodgers have reached out to us. It would have to be a multi player trade to get much though. You're right, Farmer isn't worth much on his own. Any way, my thinking is this could be a trade from surplus to help positions of need - LH hitting OF and starting caliber SS, in return for bullpen help or younger SP on the way up.

Kyle Farmer is a starting quality MLB SS will fill a bench role for the Twins this year. While he is valuable in that role, his biggest value might have just come in - as a trade chip to the Dodgers to replace Gavin Lux at SS after Lux tore his ACL yesterday. The Dodgers other option is 34-year-old Miguel Rojas who they acquired from the Marlins before spring training. You have to think the Dodgers are looking for a starting caliber SS that's locked into a reserve role on another team, particularly one who can be a 1 or 2 year option while Lux recovers or they get a free agent next winter. Voilà! 32-year-old longtime starting SS Kyle Farmer seems to meet all of those criteria. Interestingly enough, the Dodgers could also use a proven outfielder. They do have Mookie Betts in right, but are looking at an aging Chris Taylor and an unproven Trayce Thompson to play center with a very unproven James Outman in left. It seems like a respected veteran like Max Kepler might be a good fit. I think there's a real possibility that Kyle Farmer becomes a trade talking point between the Twins and the Dodgers. It would not surprise me if Kepler is also in the discussion. The Dodgers have a deep farm system particularly in pitching and catching. I do think there's a match. May be a Caleb Ferguson or Andre Jackson might be a good piece for Farmer. Add Kepler and maybe you can get Outman, Landon Knack, or Nick Mastrini or 1 of them plus someone a little farther down the list? Who knows, maybe there's a way to pry Ryan Pepiot away if you offer, Farmer, Kepler and maybe a solid AA guy. I think there's a real opportunity here for the Twins to trade what are now somewhat redundant pieces - a 32-year-old starting caliber Shortstop who will be relegated to a reserve role for the one year he is with the team and a 30-year-old good fielding, roughly average hitting outfielder for whom there seemed to be adequate replacements. The Dodgers are a win now team that needs both those kinds of players. What you guys think?

Farmer's biggest value might have just come in - as a trade chip to the Dodgers to replace Gavin Lux at SS after Lux tore his ACL yesterday. The Dodgers other option is 34-year-old Miguel Rojas they just acquired from the Marlins before spring training. You have to think the Dodgers are looking for a starting caliber SS that's locked into a reserve role on another team, particularly one who can be a 1 or 2 year option while Lux recovers or they get a free agent next winter. Voilà! Kyle Farmer seems to meet all of those criteria. Interestingly enough, the Dodgers could also use a proven outfielder. They do have Mookie Betts in right, but are looking at an aging Chris Taylor and an unproven Trayce Thompson to play center with a very unproven James Outman in left. It seems like a respected veteran like Max Kepler might be a good fit. I think there's a real possibility that Kyle Farmer becomes a trade talking point between the Twins and the Dodgers. It would not surprise me if Kepler is also in the discussion. The Dodgers have a deep farm system particularly in pitching and catching. I do think there's a match. What you guys think?

I hope your right! I see Gordon getting 400-450 ABs, more if the injury bug hits again, playing LF, CF against RH when Buxton sits, and DH. IF he hits well again, that number could reach 500 ABs.

I wanted to be an enthusiastic homer and go 90-95 wins but I just can't quite get there, Perhaps it's my Scottish thrift combining with my aversion to the same emotional pain I've gone through the last two years rising to the surface, but I predict 88-74, second place to a 90 win Cleveland team, coupled with a postseason berth. Floor is higher but the lineup scares me a little. I just don't think we'll score enough runs to get to 90 wins. By the way, I did predict 78-84 last year so maybe I'll get lucky again.

I think Aaron Sanchez and Cole Sands are the right picks for a multi-inning relief role. I would like to see regular starts for Ober, Varland, SWR, Henriquez, Winder and Dobnak at AAA, maybe even in a 6 man rotation. That would keep the backup starters available without blowing too many innings in AAA when we know we will need most if not all of them in Minnesota this season. That leaves Sands out but he looks like a reliever at the MLB level. He also leaves Balazovic in AAA but at this point that may be where he best belongs. I especially don't want to make Henriquez a multi-inning reliever yet. He's young, has velocity and is developing his secondary pitches. We should let him start as long as we can. Same for the other 5 guys. Let's not forget, we only have 2 of the projected 5 starters signed for next year. I'd like to see them use Sands and/or Aaron Sanchez in the multi inning bullpen role. That may create some issues with 40 man spots but I think both could be effective. I would start with Sanchez on the Twins and Sands as a multi-inning guy in AAA, knowing that there will be movement in that role.

Henriquez should start in St. Paul if we can find a way to get regular starts for Ober, Varland, SWR, and Dobnak as well. that leaves Winder and Sands out but each may be a reliever at the MLB level. Henriquez is young, has velocity and is developing his secondary pitches. We should let him start as long as we can. Let's not forget, we only have 2 of the projected 5 starters signed for next year. I'd like to see them use Sands and/or Aaron Sanchez in the multi inning bullpen role. That may create some issues with 40 man spots but I think both could be effective. I would start with Sanchez and Sands as a multi-inning guy in AAA, knowing that there will be movement in that role.

Hey, worth a shot to try to harness his stuff, which does sound good, We have an open bullpen spot. Henriquez isn't going to be ready, Megill hasn't looked great, and it looks like they don't want to sign Brad Hand. Trying out guys like this is what Spring Training is for.

While this rule isn't my favorite, I understand why it was adopted. I also think this rule ahs another positive consequence that isn't mentioned enough - the elimination of the give away game the day after that 12 or 13 inning nightmare where the teams have no pitching left. Even worse, if that long game is the last one of the series both teams are badly handicapped going into their next series by having to rest MLB pitchers and call up MiLB pitchers. But let's be honest - why this rule? Because baseball needs to be faster and have more action to be competitive as an entertainment form. Now every extra inning is exciting with the possibility of a scoring play. You know, the kind of things you go to a game or watch on TV to see. All of these rule changes are to speed up and invigorate play. Every other professional sport makes changes to keep and increase fans' interest. It's about time baseball admitted it was losing in the marketplace to of all things the NBA and even the NHL, and made some changes to move toward what the fans want. The NFL is the most successful pro sports league on the planet in part because they tweak the game to make it more exciting. Its ok if baseball does the same.

The combination of signing Solano and the reported use of Gallo, Gordon, and others at 1B in ST suggests that the team is preparing for Kirilloff not to be ready to start the season. My guess is that he starts in AAA for at least 3-4 weeks so he can get in a groove before making his mLB debut for the year.

Make it or break it is absolutely right on all three of these guys. Balazovic is the most disappointing because he seemed like he had a chance to be in the conversation for an MLB shot in 2023. Now, I'm not sure he even starts in AAA. He's behind Ober, SWR, Varland, Winder, Sands and Dobnak. That's the AAA rotation plus one. I think he has to go back to AA, prove himself, and hope he shows enough for the Twins to keep him around for a shot in 2024.

I completely agree. The pitching and IF defense will tell us whether this team can contend. The OF defense is plenty good enough to help carry the team. The offense isn't anywhere near good enough on it's own and won't' be until at least 2024 and then only if we hit on at least of the younger guys becoming quality MLB hitters. I do like the thinking by the FO because I think it's the best path with the talent we have.

By the way, one of your better efforts Randball Stu.... Well done. But Saffron a trash spice? I think not. While I'm not Mad about Saffron, I do like it....

Wow, we signed the Hurdy Gurdy man?! Will he come singing songs of love? We could use those. Seriously though, I understand he hits lefties well and still can pick it at 3B even though his base stealing days are probably behind him and his power numbers are down. I think if we can get .260/.325/375 from him off the bench it's a good signing. Hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy gurdy, he sang...

Well said. Prospects always look great until they don't. It's generally fool's gold to plan for a contending team based on guys who haven't established themselves at the MLB level. The most interesting statement was the Falvey quote on Kirilloff. He's right. This is it; if the last surgery doesn't work Kirilloff is probably done as a pro baseball player. As a fan and just a human being, I really hope that he can achieve his dream and not get sidelined by a physical problem. I think we'll know by mid-season.

Julien looks good but let's pump the brakes a little here, guys. He performed well in AA and the AFL last year. That's a long way from performing in MLB or even AAA. Farmer and Solano have performed competently or better for multiple years in MLB. Both Farmer and Solano are much more likely to help the 2023 Twins; Julien may help the 2024 Twins and is much more likely to help the 2025 Twins. Julien should spend most of this year in AAA and continue to progress, and he might get a shot this year if we have injury issues and/or guys aren't effective. He also needs to find a defensive position he can play at an MLB level. He needs to show us that he can be more than just a bat first 1B/DH. We are exactly where we want to be with him. This Twins team is better and the players and FO think they have the horses to contend for the division title and maybe even a solid playoff run. A team like that should have solid veteran backup players like Farmer and Solano because they can help get those marginal 4-8 wins that will make a huge difference. A young guy like Julien might help, he might not, and you have to give him ABs that might help win or lose a game to find out. Contending teams can't give those ABs away. If you think you can contend to put the Farmers and Solanos of the world on the bench. If you think is a rebuilding or developmental year (think KC or Detroit) you give those ABs to the Juliens of the world. This team thinks it can contend. I'm cautiously optimistic that's right. I think signing Farmer and Solano was the right move and will help us contend. If we can't, we'll know by July and we can trade those guys for A ball lottery tickets and then give Julien, Lee, Martin, SWR, Varland, etc. their shot. No need to force anything now for any of those guys and I think all of them except for Lewis are for the 2024 or 2025 MLB club. .

Right on, as they used to say. I know it's exciting to think about the young guys coming up. Th decision time on those gusy isn't now; it's in July.

Absolutely right, except I think the trade involves Kepler, not Polanco. I think it would be hard to get value for Polanco until he shows that the knee is not an issue. I actually think this acquisition makes a lot of sense. Solano's best positions are 2B and 1B, which happen to be the positions where we have an established player with injury concerns (Polanco) and an unestablished player with injury concerns (Kirilloff). If either can't start the season, Solano takes their spot. If the FO decides it would be better for Kirilloff to start in AAA to get his stroke back, Solano takes his spot. If an IF gets hurt in ST, Solano takes their spot. Good guy to have. Two things about the young players. There is no young MiLB 2B in the system ready to step in as a starter. Lee, Julien and Martin haven't even played a lot at AAA yet for goodness sakes. There was a time when the Twins would throw a guy like those 3 out there and hope. Those were also the times when we had no real shot at contending and/or no other options. We aren't that team any more. We intend to contend for at least a division title/playoff spot in each of the next 6 years that Correa and Buxton are together. Teams that want to do that don't throw AA players out here and hope; they get vets like Solano to fill in as injury insurance. Solano is 35. He's here for a year at most and he isn't blocking anybody. In the unlikely event that we have no injuries and Polanco and Kirilloff are healthy and productive, the only player effected is Lewis and that isn't until probably mid-July or August. Chances are that injuries and ineffectiveness will open up a spot for him and probably at least 1 of the other 3 this year. I think this move is smart and it tells me and the current roster that the Twins think they have a contending team. You're going to have to earn your spot with production on the field. Second, the player impacted is Larnach. Unless there is a trade, Buxton, Gallo, Kepler, Taylor and Gordon are the 5 OFs on the 26 man roster. Why? Because they've earned it with their performance on the field. Creating a spot for Larnach requires a trade or Kirilloff not being ready and Kepler or Gallo moving to 1B. There isn't any need to artificially create a spot for him. He hasn't earned it yet, admittedly due to injury, so he goes to AAA if nothing changes. Again, he'll get his shot. Somebody will get hurt or not hit and he's first one up. This is a smart move for a team that wants to/thinks they can contend. If we learn by mid-season that we can't, then we can trade guys like Solano. Farmer and Taylor (or maybe even Polanco and Kepler) to teams that can compete and let guys like Larnach, Lewis, Lee, Martin, Julien, etc. get some MLB experience. No need to artificially create that opportunity now.