specialiststeve

I think either would be a very good get but I disagree that they would not cost a ton. It would take some high quality prospects to get either of these guys.

May want to try to keep up Ted... we are signing Donaldson... our defense improved with a swipe of a pen. Still not going to be like the good old days of great defensive Twins teams of the past but this may be the best offensive lineup in the history of the Twins if we can stay healthy. We are good.... really we are good.

Minor league deal fine... otherwise ... pass....

Good day for the Twins! Have a feeling they are not done yet... likely a trade but think they will try to get a young pitcher that has big upside.... and ready now.... just a feeling.

? How would the rotation be worse... we have top 3 back .. Gibson and Perez were Okay before the all star break and AWFUL after. Bailey and Hill are "at least" their equal and with Dobnak showing he belongs we are clearly better... not as good as the big boys but better than last year. As far as the lineup Cron was pretty good I admit but still have time to hopefully sign Donaldson which imporves our lineup. Shoop barely played after Arraez signed. Arraez will only get better ..... Love the top ten assessment! Please bring on the spring soon!!

Was blessed to be able to play some college baseball and was that "utility guy" until I was a senior. Played C, 3B, SS, 2B, 1B and OF.... Of these I thought Left field was the easiest but in the IF - 1B was clearly the easiest. Basically short area to cover.... very little throws that have to be made and basically just need a good skillset to catch the ball. Mind you it may be the easiest but a great 1B (Kent Hrbek) can save your IF and make an ordinary IF look pretty darn good. That said like Castellanos bat but just don't think it would be wise to sign him for that spot.

Preferably 1B ....

I am on board with Gonzalez playing third if we don't get Donaldson. Playing the utility roll and not knowing where or if you are playing any particular day is not conducive to getting any flow at the dish. I think he would likely put up 25 HR and hit 250 which would be respectable.... given the other choices I think he would be fine there.

As much as I like Bryant I would think with his contract issues we would need to pass... Having only 2 year of control and maybe 1 would to me mean if we were going to trade for him we trade Rosario and a lower level guy... would be fine with... as both are 2 years out. Like most would like Donaldson if he ever makes up his mind... nice that we are still in the running but that has not gone great this off-season. But getting one stud each year is/would be a good offseason. Otherwise some trade targets I would look at....that may cost less..... or more.... Jake Lamb (Ariz).... often injured but last healthy was in the discussion for an MVP... likely would be pretty cheap.... Kevin Cron (Ariz) has LIT up AAA but has been blocked and likely would again be fairly reasonable. Also would be under control. He would play 1st... Sano stays at 3B. Xander Bogarts (With David Price) Would likely cost us Lewis, one of our top OF prospects and a P prospect but... Bogarts is a top glove/bat combo that is signed for the next 7 years... Have to eat Price's contract but he would be a nice addition to our rotation. Polanco to 2nd - Arraez to 3rd and our offense is still very good and our defense is light years better. Highly unlikely but I like! Matt Chapman... Would take a Bagart type deal but would again take our defense up a big notch and offense would be quality also... would get for next 3 years.... Jed Lowrie... 10 mil for 2 years... would need to come with either Matz (2 years of use or Stroman who will be a FA after this year. Mets would like to move him... Or last ...but very possible they put Gonzalez at 3rd who is solid there... Sano over to 1st and Bring up either Gordon or Blankenhorn to take Gonzalez utility position... Actually if we don't land Donaldson I really see this happening.

Think Darius is right on target. If he was to be a 2 or 3 it would be very questionable. As a 4 or a 5 getting a vet with low risk and high reward type guy it is fine. Understanding he will be the 3 until Pineda comes back... Hill coming back sometime during the season is another low risk guy that may provide some more low risk high reward at a time we will likely need. Of course like the rest I would have liked a higher end guy but they are VERY difficult to land... hopefully we can find a trade partner to get one more guy that is a higher end guy.

Would be a nice sign but am sure he will not sign until the international money is renewed. Right now most teams have used most of their resources in this area... unless he takes a pretty big discount he will wait until the summer. Adding talent ALWAYS makes sense .. especially talent that is close to the show as can use on the field or as a trade piece.

Used to coach some and played collage ball..... Looking at the video he does have a few things that need to be addressed. The leg kick is a timing mechanism that he draws power from but he clearly needs to refine it as his stride appears to be way too big. Can get away with this when the pitching is pretty straight but as he climbs the ladder he is going to have to shorten it to be able to recognize and react to the top breaking balls. I would say if he just cuts it down about half so he still has the feel of his swing he will see pretty good results. Would also suggest that he drop his hands down a bit so he is in the hitting position earlier... this should help him again with the breaking balls and the higher level of pitching. Remember when Rosario first came up to the Twins he had the worst hitch I had ever seen... Is now MUCH better and the result showed last year. Didn't see a hitch in Lewis' swing so just a few tweeks as some have said should get him where he needs to go. Hopefully they had him in the cage working on these over the winter as that is when the changes occur.... not in season....

Don't get me wrong guys I would love to have him but understanding the rate vs return is a big deal. 100 mil isn't getting it done... he has pretty much said so. His agent has said it will take 110 at least meaning to the Twins more likely 120.... or 30 mil per season for an aging 3B. I am good if we get him of course but "market rate" is not always a smart move. 30 million for him is not something I would do. Others may... I would not.

Respectfully I am guessing you don't understand we are not one of the Big Boys! That IS what the statement is based on. The big market teams can "afford" to make a big ticket mistake we can't. That is the reality of being in the market the Twins are in.. Even right now I am a bit queasy what we are considering for Donaldson who looked washed up 2 years ago... has a good year and is wanting 30 mil a year... yikes. Being an old dude and understanding being financially responsible is not always ideal but in the long run is sound to run a stable business. Make no bones about it the Twins are entertainment and business 1st... winning is important to the entertainment part to get folks in the door but taking HUGE financial risks are not in the cards... nor should they be.

Like Who? Your insight is very poor! Cole? Strasburg? Madbum? Non were coming here even if our bid was even or more than the big boys. Who else was availbable? HMM Odorizzi... signed Pineda ...signed. Filled out the rotation with guys that have experience... not top of the line but capable. Not serious about competing? We won the Division last year... C'mon David ... Keep up....

You mean like the Yankees and Dodgers... also haven't won a Series in a LONG time. Yes they win consistently and get to the playoffs and No championship. We are fine. Yes we would all love to sign the big boys but very unlikely. Have to build within as well as have savvy trades. If we win the division and have an entertaining product with a chance to win in the playoffs it is a success.

Umm... Vikes won! Skol

Respectfully Ted and the rest of you negative nellies your glass is CLEARLY half empty. Came into the off season we had one pitcher in our 5 man rotation. We resign our own at VERY reasonable prices and 2 others that are not world beaters but are again priced reasonably and no long term commitment. This allows our team to still compete and allow our prospects that have a pretty good shot at being good to gain some more experience and ease them into the show..... Also signing Romo and Clippard extends our bullpen allowing our starters to not have to go as long.... We have quality bats and arms around the corner and if yes we are better than the end of the season as losing Cron and Shoop were not huge losses and replacing their numbers should not be an issue. Adding Donaldson would clearly be a great get but get the feeling he is playing the Twins and the Nationals as he is waiting for the 110 and then will sign back with Atlanta.. hope I am wrong but that is the vibe I have. Still long off season for other trades if doesn't pan out.... Better pitching ... check Backup catcher ... check Replacement corner IF ... pending.. We are fine ... the sky is not falling folks.

Arraez has to be the man for that job... Arraez, Kepler, Polanco, Cruz, Rosario, Garver, Sano, Gonzalez, Buxton ...would be my lineup. Of Course if Donaldson comes aboard it would be subject to change...

Would absolutely do the Sale and Archer deals. Hell both! Sale, Berrios, Oddorizi, Archer and Bailey... that would be good. Basically Boyd has had 1/2 of 1 good season. Don't think I would not do that one. Not sure on Thor.... Buxton and Kiriloff is a ton... Probably would pass....

I do think Dominic Smith is a much better and realistic target for the Twins... really not sure of the cost. Smith has no place to go but is great insurance at this point for the Mets. Can't believe it would take a top prospect to get him but who knows. Per Rotoworld the Met's have Smith on the block.. In the article they are trying to get rid of Lowrie and Smith. Lowrie's 10 mil contract and Smith as he is out of options and no direct place to play....Don't see where Lowrie would fit but Smith would be a good option if Donadson doesn't make it. Heck they have 6 starters right now so see what a Smith and Matz package costs!!

Not mentioned anywhere but Wisler also has some starting experience. It did not go well but would be an option depending on how he is throwing...

He is owed 96 mil over the next 3 years ... Boston needs to cut 20 million each year to get under the tax. Not sure how that works if they pay 50 million "this" year. Otherwise as some have stated sending a young inexpensive player with him and we take on the whole amount.... Or.... just send us Sale and we send one of our young arms with whatever... there would be our ace.... I like that plan better not likely but I like it better.....

Plan Steve.... Pick up Walker as the 4th starter.. use Dobnak as the 5th starter... Keep picking up good/great relief pitchers.... and use Graterol as one of the 6th/7th inning guys to bridge the game.... ala poor mans Yankees. Will keep his innings down and will be used in important positions. Can learn some off-speed stuff in the bullpen as have a few vets that likely could teach him a thing or 2. Let him grow this year on the Big club and if all goes well let him start next year.....

For those that are talking Arenado ... who I also would love to have.... he has a monster contract and can opt out next year... so have to be careful as if you give up the farm to get him and he leaves next year you end up with a Lose/Lose! Know everyone is chomping at the bit for a big deal but likely will be something smaller as the roster is pretty well set at this point minus the 4th and 5th starter. There are a ton of guys out there that are low risk high reward type dudes that we likley will take interest in and pick up a few. Big deal right now is Donaldson... problem here is he would like to go back to Atlanta and has stated he will give the Braves a chance to meet any offer...