bap3141

Yup. Tatis is a LF/DH now. He prefers SS but the Padres liked him in the OF at the end of 2021 while rehabbing a shoulder that has since been in a motorcycle crash. He wasn't amazing defensively at SS and they'll likely not resign Will Myers. They're set in RF with Juan Soto and CF Trent Grisham's defense is elite. Ha-Seong Kim is the real loser of playing time here unless they make other moves, like Cronenworth to 1B, and Kim to 2B. Either way, I think the Padres like their depth.

Maybe even now...

If they miss out on Correa, at this point I'd rather see them spend elsewhere (Rodon, Nimmo, a right handed bat). Dansby is fine, but I do not like his swing and miss in this lineup. And I feel like he might have peaked.

Not true at all. He was very good in May (actually, the last series in April too) and June as well. When the Twins were in 1st place. He was also a clubhouse leader and strong defensively. Your logic makes no sense. Are you suggesting that the Twins could have held the division as long as they did without Correa? The fact that he finished the year strong in September while the Twins fell out of contention only highlights that the Twins collapse was not due to him. (Hint: It was due to injuries) Again - this team wouldn't have been a contender without his production, fielding and leadership.

This team doesn't lead the division for the majority of the season without Correa. The primary reason the team fell apart was because of injuries. Plus, I doubt they sign Correa and are done.

This is what I've been hoping for as well. Sign Correa and shop Lewis, who might just be their top trade chip (after Arraez).

Not one player has signed yet that I was all that intetested in. I heard people speculating that the Twins would be interested in Haniger or Willson Contreras, but I'm not high on either of those guys. I'd rather they focus on Correa and Rodon or Xander. I would love for them to go get Nimmo too, but haven't heard anything about the Twins being connected to him.

The Red Sox did offer more to Kirby than the Twins and the Phillies were very interested. Bonds and Maddux also signed that off-season with different teams and the Yankees were in on both -- until the 11th hour with Bonds. I know things were a little different back then but we did see a lot of movement of big names starting in the early 1990's - Strawberry, Bonilla, Bonds, Maddux, Gaetti (ha!), Murray, etc. I do agree that Correa is a top guy on a market where players are constantly moving -- which is why I really like the idea of signing Correa, as much as the player itself. I just want to see this team lock up a big name to show that it can be done. And Correa is the right guy to do it with, in my opinion.

Anyone else actually encouraged by the 11 year $300M deal Trea Turner just signed? Not necessarily the length, but the annual salary? I expected a higher per season.

Not trying to nitpick your comment at all by highlighting your closing remark, because I 100% agree. However, in many ways, I would rather they be out on him if they lose him because I just don't want to be crushed again. This signing to me is about so much more than the player. It is Kirby Puckett in 1992 all over again. If that comparison seems off, let me explain. Puckett was being courted by the Phillies and Red Sox in the offseason of 1991-92. And while I don't expect Correa to sign for a hometown discount when he's only been here for one season, I like the idea that the Twins will compete in this market when they absolutely have to -- and keep their own. Because all we've been spoon fed since that off-season is that the Twins cannot compete with the large market teams. And while that may be true, I like to think that baseball is not so broken that the best players will always sign elsewhere (even if THAT is true). I loved Johan Santana in his prime. I hated always hearing that he was the next Yankees ace. So to me, this signing would be more than Correa - who, admittedly I am also very high on.

Maybe I missed something in the thread (possible), but I didn't get that from this comment: "I suppose it is semantics. My deadline would be, "whenever there are only two of the four free agent shortstops left". If not earlier." If we both agree that we don't want to see the Twins in a reactionary mode, then I don't believe this is the approach to take. Again, I could be missing some context here. If we both agree that once one Correa or Trea signs, then the others will follow suit rather quickly, I wouldn't want to take this approach. I likely just didn't really interpret the part where you said, "If not earlier" ... with that I agree 100%. Earlier! Please.

Ha! Yes. Boras is in a good place here -- which is not good for the Twins. I know they won't, but I would be giddy if that situation played out and the Twins said "neither" and signed Trea Turner.

Okay, then I suppose you could replace Correa with Trea in that scenario. The point is, I don't see it working out as a viable strategy to wait -- I think the SS market will move fast. And I would rather that the Twins not be in reactionary mode,

I could be wrong, but I don't see that sort of approach working out. Once Correa signs, they SS market will move fast. If Bogaerts isn't already gone by then. And the teams that are negotiating with Dansby, Xander, and Trea are likely to have the edge. The Twins would be in a position of reacting -- and they'd likely need to overpay to get the player and agent's attention. So, if they're thinking of getting involved once there are two left on the market, I think they've already missed the boat. Plus, if they're going to overpay, they might as well do it with Correa rather than Dansby or Xander (who I think might even go before Correa). The only scenario in which I see two left are: Dansby and Correa (if he's playing the waiting game) or Dansby and Trea (once Correa has signed elsewhere) and it seems like the Twins and Trea are out on each other. And I would honestly rather they didn't overpay on Dansby, or even sign him at all if they miss out on the other three. Rather have a guy like Rodon and a bat with Andrus in that case than Dansby. But, again, I may have it all wrong.

They likely do have a deadline, or, hopefully, back up plans in place that they've duscussed internally. I don't see a stated deadline working out in the Twins' favor. Especially since they already know that they'll have to get cteative to sign him and with other teams interested already (soon to be more once Judge signs). If they insist on a deadline, they'll have to put an offer out there that he can't refuse; which equates to overpaying. I know the author is speculating, but I think that if the Twins feel like they're in that situation in which they need to set a deadline, they might as well pivot now and begin talks with Bogaerts. What seems to be moving in their favor, and I can only speculate based on the tea leaves left by the various articles that I have read, is that teams once floated as highly intetested (i.e. the Cubs) seem to be shifting to other shortstops. (Again, if the reports are to be believed.) This could indicate that they know that the Twins are serious about resigning him and they'd rather move on than get in a bidding war. Or it could be that they don't want to wait and have pivotted already (meaning they're ahead of the Twins on that front). It could also mean that they want to get in front of the post-Judge market and sign players before teams miss out on Judge and look to Correa. All I know is how I'll feel as a Twins fan if they're left out in the rain on adding a key piece -- hint: frustrated and disappointed. I'm sure management knows that this sentiment likely represents the majority if the fanbase and will act accordingly. You can't rebrand, open a bunch of cap space, not sign a star and expect fans to show up. J.A. Happ, Dylan Bundy, Matt Shoemacher, Chris Archer and Kurt Suzuki type aquisitons won't be enough. Not this time.

This is absolutely spot on. As an aside, I do think the prices will eventually come down. Early adapters to technology and buyers in other markets that feel a need to be amongst the first to own something, almost always pay more. The price for these jerseys is not sustainable, especially with blank backs.

It seems as though many Twins fans have become enamored with Carlos Correa (like me) because he's a superstar that fits in well and seems to want to be here. But let's be honest, if the Twins hadn't landed him last year, and were in on Dansby Swanson this off-season, most Twins fans would be elated. To that end; Xander Bogaerts would be an excellent consolation prize. And I believe that he'll be much more affordable. If it would afford the Twins the chance to also be in on Carlos Rodon, Brandon Nimmo, and/or a right handed bat or some relief help, I'd be okay with that. To be clear, I'd like to see Correa back but pivoting might open up more dollars for other signings without drastically increasing cap. And, of course, if they can find a taker for Kepler and/or Polanco (I'd love to get Nimmo on this team).

$140 - $150M for 5 years is what it will take to get in on a legitimate ace that the Twins sorely need. I'm okay with that. I'm not okay with a 1-year opt out. Essentially, he'd be a free agent next season unless he develops an arm injury or loses a few ticks on his fastball. I don't want to see the team in the same boat next year with this Carlos as they are with the current one. If Rodon would take a 3 year contract with a higher base, that would be ideal. But he will get 5 from someone -- and $150M is easily in play if the Dodgers are at the table.

I like this, Nick, with the addition of an extra $1M to set the record. Obviously, the Twins already have a seat at the table and this might even put them at the head of the table. Then they need to hope that one of the large market teams like the Yankees or Dodgers don't swoop in with $330M+ -- which is a very real possibility.