NapoleonComplex

If I'm making the decision and he's still there, Brennan Malone is the pick at #13. The ball comes out of his hand effortlessly.

Of all this incredible analysis, my one take away is our wives are of similar taste: "...on again/off-again Ross-and-Rachel relationship." Unless of course you're the Friends fan of the house?

I'll be the first to admit I've taken Polanco for granted. It bewildered me when he was originally called up at only 20-years old. It wasn't the "Twins way" which is likely why I didn't understand the move. He didn't look the part at SS, and it 2016 when he got his first real taste of the big leagues, from a defensive perspective, it seemed like the promotion came far too soon. The bat gave me hopes of a top of the lineup table setter - and dang has he exceeded expectations early this season. He has been fun to watch develop at the MLB level ... again, very uncommon to say for a Twins prospect. The tide has certainly shifted for our young stars. I'd love to know the overall vibe for the guys in our system knowing the FO will promote based less on age and more by production.

Luke Bard is looking sharp early on for the Angels ... 3 appearances: 4 IP, 4 K, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB. Pending health, looks like he will be a regular out of their bullpen this season. Happy for him.

Burger King advertisement on the wall at the point of the catch was so perfect in so many ways.

A-Rod's engaged now. Odds of him trading physiques with our boy Willians increased exponentially.

"...FBI discovered that all the tuition money was going to the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh..." Someone has been watching a lot of Netflix recently. Excellent work Stu.

I wouldn't say this signing is about Gordon. Any long-term extension impacts the career path for other players that play the same position(s). Gordon's path, along with Luis Arraez now have more obstacles.

Sign and trade to keep his contract off the books 2020 and beyond. Conspiracy theory train keeps rolling.

I can get down with a Lewis & Polanco double-play combo. This likely means Gordon is the odd man out.

Hesitant to a long-term deal with a new CBA right around the corner.

You're absolutely right that they'd get a ton of offers if they showed willingness to take 2-3 years. I don't believe there is a huge difference being on the market at 26 and 29. I actually believe there to be more benefit for the player at age 29. It's the cusp of physical prime, more especially for a position player. If they were pitchers I'd definitely agree to the point. I believe most of the hesitance is because of the long-term commitments being offered ... 8-10 years with the same club (assuming no options) is tough for a player at age 26. More especially if they're confident in their future abilities.

So much this. I've been preaching this for a while. If Harper/Machado are hesitant to sign a long-term deal with the current CBA expiring, why not offer a short-term, ridiculously high AAV deal? It would be tough to pass up 3/$100M, then dip back into free agency at 29 years old after the new CBA is ratified. Heck, offer a third year player option. My greatest disappointment with the Twins not spending this off-season is how all the stars seemed to align for them. The AL Central will be even weaker this year, we have a young nucleus with some make-or-break decisions looming, next to nothing on the books in 2020, and not even close to the commitment to 50% of revenue spent for the 2019 season. I can't for the life of me understand the short-term, let alone the long-term strategy for this ball club. It's incredibly frustrating as a die-hard fan.

First time I've attended a Winter Meltdown. Excellent work to all involved. Got a decent picture that Gleeman added to his thank you note on Twitter. I'll definitely be going next year. http://imgur.com/a/50an0nL

Even if they are trying to extend him, Berrios is talented enough and young enough to bet on himself. IMO the Front Office hasn't done enough to prove to our younger players they are committed to winning. They seem to be more committed to finding value and saving money. It's likely a key reason players choose NY over mid-market teams. Yeah, history and market play a role in the decision. But if I'm a young, talented player on the brink of free agency, and I continue to see a team pay for the most talented players year in and year out, chances are they will move up on my list of teams I want to be part of.

I really like Jo Adell. He's going to be an exciting player to watch. I still rank Lewis ahead of him because plus hitting shortstops are tougher to find ... and he's in my favorite ball clubs system. It's too bad we won't see both in the Southern League this season. It was fun to check out Midwest League box scores last season to see how each performed against the same teams.

#1 Berrios #2 Lewis #3 Buxton #4 Kirilloff #5 Graterol I can't see a prospect, no matter how great or highly anticipated, be ranked above Berrios.

I wouldn't know what my employer wants from me either if I dealt with everything Byron has with the Twins coaching staff and Front Office. Frankly I'm glad he is becoming more vocal about his frustrations. To me that's a sign of a leader forming.

This is a take I can't understand. Astudillo has done nothing but proven himself worthy at every level. He gets mocked because of his stature, but yet out hustled and out-performed nearly everyone on the Twins roster the final two months of the season. What more does he have to do? No one will ever mistake him for a generational player. He is a guy worthy of playing time at the MLB level. Unless of course you're content with Castro's career .231/.311/.386 ... then by all means. Buh...buh.... pitch framing. Bleh. Also, 90 losses don't happen because of one player.

Sano and Buxton are perfect buy-low extension candidates. Berrios has all the leverage in negotiations, making him a tough sign. As crazy as it seems, the only guy I'm not ready to extend is Kepler. He plays solid defense, but his bat really hasn't improved over three seasons. I'm not opposed to extending him, and like Sano/Buxton, he could be a buy-low candidate. We just haven't seen the elite flashes in Kepler like we've seen with Sano and Buxton.

Gotta go with Donaldson of the bunch. I'd rather risk cash by signing Donaldson rather than risk prospects in a trade for Santana.

I'm bringing my 1 year old son to the final game of the season this Sunday. If Mauer decides to retire, I want to tell my son that the first baseball game he attended was Joe Mauer's last.

14/1 K/BB in 11 2/3 since Lynn put on pinstripes. I understand Dozier's current hot streak because we've seen it multiple times. Escobar has been steady all season, so that makes sense. The same with Pressly. But Lance Lynn ... I just don't get it. Maybe it isn't a clubhouse problem? Maybe we're only befuddled because the one guy we didn't expect to see improve is doing so in a big way - albeit a SSS.

It puzzles me. I personally believe there is an issue in the clubhouse. Some sort of tension either between players and coaches, coaches and FO, players and FO ... or all of the above. Seems like a toxic work environment immediately improved by a change of scenery.

1.) Where are you from? Born in Minneapolis, lived in Murdock, MN for 11 years, then moved back to Minneapolis. Currently reside in Chisago City. 2.) Age Range? 38 3.) What brought you to Twins Daily? Gleeman and the Geek … but mostly Parker on Twitter #PimpEverything 4.) Highest level of baseball/softball played? Minnesota Twins RBI League. 5.) Favorite Twins Player, and favorite underappreciated Twins player, and if you want, favorite current Twins player? • Favorite: Kirby • Underappreciated: Shane Mack • Current: Jose Berrios 6.) Favorite non-Twins Daily site/authors? hrltwincities.com and wifflinforwishes.com … oh … mprnews.org 7.) Favorite Twitter follows? @HRLBlueJays 8.) Other interests outside of baseball: My family, wiffleball, home brewing with greater aspirations. I also collect game-used, mostly current, Twins memorabilia. 9.) Favorite part of Twins Daily... forums, blogs, articles, topics... whatever: All the different perspectives, opinions, and the vast baseball (in general) knowledge. 10.) Tell us what we can do better. What features or other topics would you like to see in-season or out of season? It's all good. 11.) Have you been to any of the Twins Daily "events?": Not yet.