DocBauer

Regarding the OP, I offer up a COUNTERPOINT as well as a POINT COUNTERPOINT: You never give up when you have a shot to win. It's a disservice to fans and your players. While the ALC might be pretty bad, we've still been the best team for most all the year and remain in 1st place starting tonight, DESPITE injuries and BP failures. If we take the ALC, we get 3 games at home. Who knows what can happen? Isn't winning still the point? And while there are more than a few milb options hurt or having poor years, there is still talent to move, and almost a need to wirh the number of 40 man issues facing the team in 2023. (I know debate rages on this issue). A pair of RP HELPS, and helps a lot. If rentals, they can be re-signed potentially. Considering the probable cost of a SP, he'd have to have at least 1 more year of control. But that helps NOW, and in 2023. I'd rather see a 2022 ALC banner than not. I'd rather try to win that home series to start the post season and then see what happens. I'd like to try and win and establish as strong of a winning culture as we can. POINT: In Maeda, Paddock, Ober, Winder and Dobnak, you have a mostly young, and debatable "decent/solid" rotation all unavailable due to the IL. Only Winder and Ober might be back before the season is done. Could Stashak, Romero, or Coulombe have helped? Hard to say. We're never going to know. I'm pretty sure Alcala WOULD have helped. Lewis is out until sometime 2023. (The sooner the better). Larnach is probably out until mid August if everything goes right. Jeffers probably just as long if not a little longer. Who knows about Kirilloff at this point? Kepler will be back, and hopefully ready to go. Sano is also a "who knows" as well as a "would he make a difference at this point"? The odds are stacked against the Twins right now, but can trying to add and see what happens hurt? No, but trading a TON of quality might not be the right move AT THIS TIME. I'm stuck in between these 2 thoughts. I don't think you go ALL IN at this point. But you can still improve chances to finish the year strong, and "buy" a few pieces that can also help in 2023. So I'm still in BUY mode, but don't sell out at this point.

I LOVE ME some Byron Buxton. Offensively and defensively he is just a difference maker and we are just part of his baseball world when he's out there. He's just that good, even being sub-human as he is now, fighting through his knee issue. Not a team in baseball that wouldn't want Buck on their team. But Polanco is so underated its amazing. He plays a good, sometimes great 2B, and only gets better. He hits, gets OB, seldom SO, makes great contact, has power, and comes through in the clutch. CRUNCH time happens, I want Arraez and Polanco up to bat. No disrespect to Buxton or AC4. Kirilloff and Miranda, unless we do something stupid and trade one of them, are going to be part of the heart ofthe order for many years to come. But Polanco is so good, and so versatile, he could hit 2-5 and be just as dangerous and effective. And he's not exactly old. He's a keeper, IMO, and a re-sign the next year or so.

Ash, I do agree with you, to a point. CRAP happens, and sometimes guys just get hurt. For whatever reason, it's happened to the Twins a lot the last 2yrs. Now, is that bad damn luck, the loss of 2020 just throwing things out of whack for pitchers trying to build back up, or a combination of the two? No clue. I DO BELIEVE, as you seem to, that in regard to an acquisition of an arm, draft or trade, you might mitigate injury loss by looking at history. Paddack is a perfect example. Maeda is also a similar example. Despite HUNDREDS of IP, successfully thrown, there was a risk with Maeda. But he sure was worth the risk in 2020. His 2021 ST had him looking like the same pitcher before the wheels came off. I don't expect him to be the same pitcher he was in 2020 to begin 2023. But even at 35, I wouldn't be surprised at all, with his re-built arm, if he wasn't very solid to good before the year was done. More and more we're seeing SMART, experienced arms pitch in to their later 30's as at least solid if not good. (Verlander is a pitching god, so we'll leave him out of the discussion). Right or wrong to make the trade for Paddack, a potential implosion waiting to happen, he's on the opposite end of the spectrum. I'm NOT saying it's going to happen, but there is a real chance he's solid for the 2nd half of 2023. And by the time 2024 comes around, we could be talking about a still young arm that the Twins need to re-sign at still around 28yo-ish. I think you will agree with me that drafting/signing/trading for an arm coming off injury is not the issue. History has shown high quality arms coming of injury/surgery and being as good or better than before. I think the problem you are alluding to, and I agree, is signing or trading for that arm with a checkmark against them already. The risk isn't worth the reward. I think our FO is damn smart. But I think they've banked too much on the past 2yrs for the pipeline to deliver, and it's delivered at about 50%, at best, due to injury and WHATVEVER. I mean, how much better and deeper is this staff with a healthy Alcala, Winder, Dobnak or Coulombe at least filling in, if nothing else? I appreciate building a quality bullpen on the cheap with prospects and under the radar quality arms when you have to manage payroll to some degree. You can do it if you do it smart and can balance young arms and a couple solid veteran arms. And I understand taking fliers to fill out your rotation to deepen it as you want to compete and roll your top arms in. For TWO YEARS IN A ROW, the plan hasn't worked according to THE PLAN. NOW, you need to trade a bunch of the milb depth you've acquired to keep your "competitive" and first place team IN competition. In the future, FO, don't just EXPECT your pipeline to provide. And don't trade for arms that are potentially ready to implode. Quit trying to outsmart yourself. If you want to make a "find" look for someone coming off injury instead of trading for someone bound for injury.

To quote a successful and respected pundit here in the BIG RED state: "things I know and things I think I know". When you are as tall and long as someone like Ober, your body and mechanics just work differently than someone 4-6 inches shorter than you. Honestly, we might reference basketball and all the 6' 9" to 7'+ athletes that there, despite being a different sport, encounter various foot, back, shoulder, etc, injuries that it at least seems to be more prevelant that "smaller" colleagues. But, moving on, Ober changed his mechanics under Twins tutelage and and found both increased velocity, but just "felt better" after starts, while having complained that he previously just never felt good/right earlier in his career. I have read and re-read the issue with Ober through "medical speak" a few times now. And I might be off, but it sure appears that one of his muscles/tendons is, in fact, simply rubbing on bone. At least, more than is normal. I suppose that strength conditioning and different forms of exercise and conditioning might alleviate this problem. Think something like Pilates, even though that sounds silly at first for a 6' 9" athlete. But these kinds of changes are a possible solution when you read and hear about other athletes that have changed their routines at points in their career. I'm just educated, well read, and knowledgeable to be dangerous, lol. But I'm wondering if he doesn't need surgery to "shave down" a portion of bone, or, have a muscle/tendon operated similar to TOS. I'm really, really hoping rest and a different exercise practice will result in getting him back 100% for 2023, if not late 2022. I think the guy has a solid future and there's no question in my mind the Twins have really missed him. As to Winder, who knows? I know it's easy to be frustrated, and I am too, but IIRC, he's never had this shoulder issue until last year. Is this as simple as missing 2020 and his body has encountered some issues to rest and work through while building back velocity and endurance? Or is there something inside his shoulder not quite right after years of throwing a baseball? I know it's unpopular to say this, but the Twins DO CARE about their players from the ML level on down. They changed their training staff a couple years ago, and IIRC, they even changed out some team doctors. Just because nobody has figured out yet what "impingement" Winder has been dealing with certainly doesn't mean they aren't looking to figure it out. It's important for Winder, as well as the Twins. Just frustrating as hell that we have some really, really good arms like Ober, Winder, Alcala, Canterino and a few others that offer up a really nice pipeline, only to spring a handful of leaks and no immediate answers.

I don't believe the Twins don't have some good pitching prospects, in a vacuum. I think they do. The problem is some are very new and at lower levels, and with the exception of Varland, almost everyone has been battling SOMETHING, whether injury or control, or returning from injury. Pretty hard to be the trading team and trade for someone having a rough season, no matter any potential. A couple BP additions, rental or otherwise, shouldn't deplete the system. And while I don't necessarily believe the Castillo trade sets a bar, it's going to be hard to acquire what is perceived as a true top of the rotation piece. A Rodon trade might just work, IF the Giants are in sell mode. And to me, that sort of brings us back to Mahle, who I like. He's only 27yo, in his 3rd consecutive SOLID season, and has room to develop, potentially, away from Cincinnati. I'm still wondering though, if the Marlins aren't the best option. They seem to need offense. And they have a number of arms. And while I don't like to play the "who" game in regard to trades because it's so subjective, I do look at Steer, Wallner, Julien, CES and some other, younger options they may be interested in. Some of whom haven't hit full stride yet, but have talent. And there is enough pitching depth to offer up a couple interesting arms with potential to make the deal work, potentially. Maybe a 2 for 5 or 6 type of deal. And while it might sound crazy on the surface, I wonder about including Sano in the deal as sort of a throw in flier. I mean, think about it from Miami's point of view. He's not yet 30yo, has a career OPS of .800+, can carry a team for stretches, might start a season better playing in warmer weather, and if the Twins ate the remainder of his 2022 and maybe his $3M 2023 buyout, (and they've done similar before), would he make the Marlins bite and push them over on a 6 for 2 kind of deal? I mean, they get him for free to finish the season, audition him, and can re-sign him if they want without having to pay for the buyout. Hell, they might get 5 good prospects and a $7+M potential steal in Sano.

100% I just don't understand Colorado AT ALL. Re-signing a 37yo closer for when you might compete again? I'm not sure what confuses me more, their wanting to hold on to Bard, or Bard wanting to stick around. I actually thought German Marauez, 27yo with some stuff and some previous good results, might be a perfect under the radar trade option for the Twins. I'd like to see him away from Coors Field, and with a better run organization, and see what he might do. And the Twins have depth to offer the Rockies a decent package that would include a couple interesting arms to make the deal. Now, do you even pick up the phone? Seattle got a little under a year and a half for a very good SP. They are a good team fighting for a WC. Good for them. But I just can't buy in to what they sold, were we to look at a similar package from the Twins. Looks like an "all in" buy that scares me.

We heard the Twins had conversations with Rodon this past offseason. We now here they were "right there" before he signed with the Giants. We can only speculate what "right there" means. While listening to the latest Gleeman and the Geek, somewhat distracted, if I heard correctly the reason the Twins didn't land Rodon was, paraphrasing, was length and annual value, meaning they were probably "in" for 1yr, or 2yrs, but not the combined value of the full 2yrs. And I can see that due to past injury concerns and some question as to why the Dirty Sox passed on him. Losing 7 in a row and perhaps uncertain if they have a team ready to make a run, I could see the Giants being sellers, though it might be 50/50 or 60/40 against. Hard to say. But I'm interested and calling to see what it would cost, and if they're in sell mode. His ERA has risen over the past few weeks, but his numbers are solid across the board from what I've seen. So I don't know that he's winding down and SF has necessarily gotten the "best" of him in 2022. And the Twins do a good job of mitigating IP for their SP. (Open opportunity for someone to make a negative comment about SP usage by the Twins). Nothing says the Twins can't re-sign Rodon to an extension if he continues to look good and healthy. The payroll isn't bad, and have some $ coming off the books, even without Correa opting out. But if he does, there's a TON more to use somewhere meaningful. I'd be kicking the tires for sure.

I want this team to add, be better, not fold the tent, and to make the playoffs, and hopefully make some noise. But as much as I would love to have a guy like Castillo...WOW...3 of the Mariner's top 10 for a little under a year and a half just sounds crazy to me. I just can't see doing that unless you really believed a guy was the final piece to the puzzle.

Just wanted to post my general thoughts and opinions on Nick's OP and the state of the Twins in general. It's going to be long, but follow me here. 1] Overall, I think the Twins have a good team and a lot of quality talent. It's not ALL "ALL STAR" caliber but nobody has ALL STAR talent EVERYWHERE. And I know a piece of two could be moved, but when I look at a daily team of Larnach, Buxton, Kepler, Miranda, Polanco, Arraez, Kirilloff, and yes, even Jeffers, I'm excited about what I see, with a few more bats getting really close and some solid bench/role players. Yes, SS is a question mark, and one that's not going to be answered until the offseason. A healthy Gray is a very good pitcher, not only in the past, but this year as well. Ryan is a very good looking young arm with a good future, though I don't know just HOW GOOD he might end up. But how could anyone know right now? I think Ober has been missed, is good, and has a nice future, even if he's only a solid #4 type. But again, I think the Twins are really missing him right now. I think Winder has a real chance to be good, and maybe very good. And no way he's traded right now with a re-accurance of his shoulder issue. And I don't know if that's still a result of 2020 and loss of natural maturation and usage and build up, or something physical that needs to be taken care of. But the Twins need to FIGURE IT OUT and get him right. A healthy Paddack is a 2023 mid season "acquisition" with another year of control and potential to be a solid piece of the rotation. He's talented and very young and his early work with the Twins in 2022 was encouraging. A healthy, experienced, and savy Maeda might not approach his 2020. But he has the ability to still be very solid, if 100%. The pitching "pipeline" HAS brought the Twins some arms, but for various reasons, it's behind the lineup to be sure. And as much as we bang on the bullpen, we've seen Duran make a serious mark. We've seen Jax make a great transition, and we've seen Alacala at least tease the same. Moran looks at least useful, if not potentially good. 2] All of this to say there's a lot of good here, including a system that is very deep with a lot of talent, even if it's not flush with projected top 100 NAMES that scream difference makers. But then again, not all top 100 players turn out, and "difference makers" aren't always top 100 players. Arraez, on the Twins now, is a perfect example. 3] The Twins aren't smoke and mirrors. They are a good team with a lot of talent and a very nice projectible future with a nice window, still open, after a poor 2021. Crazy how a last place team is suddenly winning and doing well and all to often we can only see the "bad things" in a FLIP season. There are NEEDS to take this team to the next level. Some of those are purely health related. Some are related to continued development and promotion. Some are trades, or FA related to augment what is on hand. There! Done! Now to the OP! This team, and organization as it stands now, is built for the future. But it's also built for NOW with some additions. That's why Correa was signed and Gray was traded for. I don't like to participate in the "trade game" because while it might be fun, it's such a complete mystery we might as well try to predict the next draft. 1] The Twins need a SP as good as Gray and Ryan. That could be a "so called" #3 who is really good. I think we need to just STOP with the trade for some #1 SP. How many, guaranteed #1 SP are available to acquire??? There's a handful of very good SP that are available, such as Castillo and Montas. And they are very good pitchers. Are they that much better than a healthy Gray or Ryan? Opinions will vary. But they are at least equivalent. But they are not the only available arms that are good, experienced, and as good as Gray and Ryan. Mahle and Marquez are a pair of arms that could be as good with a change of scenery and give the Twins a trio of legitimate playoff arms. I don't hate Nick's idea of adding Thor, but he's not the pitcher he has been before. He just might be closer to his old self in 2023, and a possible re-sign, but he wouldn't be a bad "cheap" trade option for an experienced and solid #3 for now. 2] Bard is my dream #2 RP trade target, but I just can't see trading a top 15 pitching prospect in Povich. I just think think that's too rich for a rental. Love to have him as my #2 choice and maybe re-sign him, but I'd rather see a slightly lesser prospect or a 2 for 1 deal. I like Robertson from the Cubs more, but splitting hairs. Everyone is looking to add BP pieces? I get it. But do rentals really cost top 10-15 prospects to do so? Has a single WC addition really escalated the value of a rental that much? If so, it's worth it IF the FO really likes what they acquire and recognize they have the payroll to re-sign to make it worthwhile. 3] Texas flier on Matt Moore for Julien and SGL? Again, a top offensive player and a solid arm for what I believe is a rental. Are you ready to give up that much, knowing you have a deep system, for a 1 year surprise that you MIGHT re-sign? I could see this one happening and I think I'd do it in a heartbeat because of immediate return and what should be an easy re-sign if we like him. 4] Hill from Boston for Sano? Sounds crazy. But honestly, we're talking about fits and non fits and the "good, bad and ugly" if it was a Western. I don't know that Hill does anything better than the "solid" Bundy. In fact, with $ thrown in, Boston might win the deal in long run. But I don't think Sano to ANYONE makes or breaks anything of value unless he's tossed in, along with $, as part of a deal. Personally, I see him as a part of a deal to Cincinnati, Colorado, or Miami as part of a 3-5 deal with $ for a SP AND a BP arm. A not yet 30yo 1B/DH with a career. 800+ OPS could be very interesting to at least a few teams looking to re-build and needing a dangerous bat, as a piece of a trade. Not a centerpiece, of course, but as part of a trade with $ thrown in. 4] No shade intended toward Hamilton, who might aquit himself well, but the idea of ANY experienced ML catcher for a low level PTBN could be very smart addition just to handle the staff at a ML level. SYNOPIS: Nick isn't wrong, though I disagree somewhat with his proposals. DON'T blow up the roster, or the system, just for 2022, and beyond because the team is primed to move forward. DO trade from within the team and system, and a deep system, and you can't keep everyone, unless asking prices are just exorbitant, to add a SP, 2 BP pieces. Add a catcher on the very cheap if you can. And don't worry about a 4th or 5th SP addition unless it comes very cheap. This is good team. It's a primed team with a widow that is still open even after 2021. Injuries have sunk part of their competitive capabilities. Now it's time for the FO to show what they're we made of to make additions without screwing up the future.

Assuming, of course, that he actually does return to school. There's a whole lot of money still available on the proverbial table for another signing, or two.

And that's what I've been reading for some time now, solid stuff, room for growth/improvement, and might do better just getting out of Cincinnati and their ballpark.

Going to echo great thanks for some amazing hard work by you Jeremy, and Jamie. Much appreciated! Lee is going to stick at SS for at least a couple of years. And why wouldn't you see what he can do there? Arm and hands and instincts all say he can play the spot well, if not really well. Lack of great speed or, supposedly, great quickness says he moves one day. But I've seen a lot of really, really fine SS that lacked that extra quickness factor that were fine ML SS due to those instincts, hands, arm, and good positioning. Names like Ripken, Blauser and Correa pop in my head. Totally understand some scouts and pundit experts looking at Prielipp and thinking possible BP piece. But every single draft pick for as long as I can remember...with only a few exceptions every draft...is almost always "mid rotation starter with BP floor". Prielipp was an outstanding HS performer and top prospect. What he did at Alabama in his one year was SICK. Yes, it's going to take a couple years to be 100% physically, 100% in regained feel, 100% for a solid 3rd offering (or more), and a few years to rack up the innings. So what? Kid is quite young and has amazing potential. Still stunned he lasted until the Twins pick in the 2nd. Should have been gone late 1st, or top of the 2nd. Also surprised he didn't demand $2M+, which is what I thought. No question the Twins probably drafted at least a few guys over slot in order to under-sign to give them flexibility. Doesn't mean they drafted poorly, or guys who don't have futures. Very interesting to me that virtually all the position players, despite different levels of experience, seem to have good "hit" and contact tools, usually with some power. There's even some speed mixed in there. The Twins love their power, as all teams do, but over their last 5 drafts, they've also drafted some athletes with hit/contact. Just felt like a little more concentration this year. I just love drafting so many SS because they will stick or move to 3B, 2B, OF, and use their skills to starters or good utility players. And again, no way to predict who will turn out, but all these guys show athleticism, hit tool, and some projectability. Nice! But big shout out to 6th round pick, 2B, Jorel Ortega. One year wonder? Or a finally healthy hitting stud? Potentially huge steal there. 3 catchers selected in 2021 and 2 more this year. This organization values catching. They understand the importance, even if they aren't dropping TOP draft selections for them. But then again, who is? And how many TOP, can't miss catching prospects are there each year? Not sure I don't like Cossetti and Baez more than the 3 guys picked last year. Said it before and will say it again; you can more easily teach a catcher who hits to be better defensively than you can teach a defensive catcher to be a good hitter. I understand OF Sayre was a small school 17th round pick and his conference player of the year, but I'd sure like to know if there's something to like there. Nothing just seems to stand out from the small reports I've read other than solid hit tool. Untapped potential? Johnson and his entire scouting department could fall out of bed tomorrow, hit their heads, have concussions and amnesia and still know more than I do about scouting and projection. But why is it I look at numbers, and length, and reported stuff, and past examples, and find myself more intrigued by Matthews and Lewis than Morris and Jones, drafted before them? I kinda like the long, young, and less experienced Culpepper a bit as well. Possible surprise? Tell me LHP Zachary Veen and his amazing control didn't make you wonder for a moment? A couple MPH on his fastball has to have you thinking LH BP help, right? Pleasantly surprised it looks like both HS SS, Daniel and Ortiz, are both in the fold. Both well recruited and projectile. I thought the injury to Daniel might push him to a pro **** and some bonus $. But thought it would take more. And to get both? Awesome! Not sure what to think of SP McMillan from Alabama. He was their Friday starter, but his numbers were nothing special. A flier considering, as mentioned in the OP, because the Twins have a good relationship with the school and think he's ready to take another step? HS OF Dickerson sounds like a great recruit that might be a stud in 3yrs. But you draft him on a WTH whim "just in case". Well, based on available $ left and the 5% allowable overage, there is some REAL $ left to sign either McMillan or Dickerson, or both potentially. And I well remember Julien signing for over slot money at the last moment. Turned out to be a good move for the Twins, right. I wouldn't be surprised if at least one of these guys still signed. Overall, liked the approach of arms and SS and a pair of catchers with some worthwhile HS talent worth taking a shot on. Time will tell if this draft is anything beyond the first two selections, but the plan looks to have been a good one.

It's kind of a double edged sword to have a whole lot of good players/pitchers who have potential, but not enough room to protect all that you want. While I think it's safe to say the Twins had a great first couple of picks here in 2022, and there is the "just opened presents" in regard to hope for the remaining selections, they also have seen a lot of quality from the 2021 draft so far. But if you look a little further back at 2019 and 2018 you also see a pair of very good looking drafts. It's those 2 drafts that are the issue here as a large majority of the names mentioned throughout the discussion come from those two years. There are some HS kids still in the lower minors who aren't close to ready yet, and who don't need protection yet. And I know people are tired of the whole lost 2020 season debate, but the truth is, for the Twins and everyone else, it WAS a lost season that has affected so many and yet the clock didn't stop ticking. I think we all get wrapped up in prospect rankings and our team. And it's probably true right now the Twins aren't as highly ranked as other franchises since they don't seem to have those TOP prospects that appear to be elite. But those things can change quickly. Arraez was never considered anything close to elite. Nor was Miranda until last year. Steer is putting up similar numbers this year. Wallner may have jumped a couple levels, etc. So I would never discount DEPTH of talent in the system. With the exception of the HS kids, and a couple guys who were basically drafted hurt as potential steals and working themselves up just now, 2018 and 2019 FILL AA and AAA. Some look great, some OK, a couple we're not sure yet. There's enough DEPTH of talent to move a number of pretty decent to good looking prospects in the system for help without devastating anything. You just hope you end up keeping the best ones. But letting a number of those young players go for nothing is far more damaging than actually trading some as part of packages to get something in return.

And they drafted 3 guys last year out of the college ranks. And while all 3 got in a handful of games, have to remember that really, thus season is really their first real exposure to pro ball. (Along with instructs). Winkel has had a solid year at the plate, and at CR to boot. That's a pretty solid jump, IMO. Cardenas hasn't done a lot with the bat initially, but his numbers have risen of late, and I'd like to believe the high OB he's got shows hit potential. Tatum has struggled the most with the bat, to be sure. But he also has a much higher OB vs his BA. Is that also an indicator he may get the bat rolling eventually? I think there's a lot to like about both Cossetti and Baez this year. But I don't expect anything dynamic initially. The nice thing for them is the milb season going in to mid September now. They might each get a full month introduction.

Agreed. Even if they wanted him back, it would be on a re-negotiated deal. But even then, I just don't see a fit for 2023 unless the FO makes an intense, groundbreaking BOOM of a thunderclap type of deal and move a couple guys off the ML roster. Out of character and doubtful, but it's the only way I see room for him going forward. Have to admit, I wonder what the rest of the league thinks about him. I mean, he won't turn 30 until next May, an .800+ career OPS, 1B/DH age better than other positions....if the Twins throw cash in with prospects on a deal, could he tantalize a team needing offense AND some quality prospects?

Bard or Robertson from the Cubs are my top two as an add, WITH another solid, 7-8th inning arm with experience, regardless of which arm he uses. I understand Bard and Robertson are long in the tooth, but they are experienced, getting the job done, and shouldn't cost much as rentals. I think rentals may be the smartest way to go, at least for 1 of the 2 arms that are probably needed. Nothing says you can't re-sign a rental. And even with or without a re-sign, you "re-set" the table for 2023 where you look at further trades and FA, as well your system, and then still have a short term re-sign available. Think 2019 when the Twins grabbed Dyson and Romo. Unfortunately, Dyson ended up hurt and a headcase. But if Dyson hadn't been hurt, and not a problem, the Twins probably bring back BOTH. So rentals are not a bad option.

I'm not surprised by this, and it's exactly the way I would have played it. Sano seems to be "locked in" coming off is rehab and will probably carry that over here in late July since the weather is good and he's been playing daily. He has a chance to possibly help the club on their playoff push. It stinks for Cestino, as I think he's a legitimate ML OF with defense and offensive potential. Understand, I like Celestino quite a lot. But he's young, and he had an option remaining to allow for this move. Personally, despite his strong finish with St Paul in 2021, I didn't feel he was ready to be the Twins 4th OF. In fact, not adding a decent, solid option was a mistake by the FO. And despite getting off to a great start here in 2022, some of his numbers just seemed unsustainable. And that's proven to be true. I expect him to play daily at St Paul and put up some really good numbers and be back before the year is done, and to be even more ready for future contributions to the Twins. Say what you will about Sano, but he's a dangerous hitter when "on" and has a career OPS above .800. While I just don't see a future in Minnesota, he can help. Further, nobody, especially a mid market team, is going to just dump a player like Sano, and just get nothing for him. And I don't see where anyone would trade for him until they see him at the ML level, healthy, playing, and hitting the ball again. Time is running out quickly for Sano to be offered as part of a trade for ANYTHING. But I do believe he might be sent to a team before the deadline for SOMETHING, OR, he could be part of a deal to a team looking for some RH power at 1B/DH if the Twins eat some/most of his remaining salary. They might even throw in the $3M 2023 buyout where a team could basically use him as a free 2 month rental, and then negotiate a new deal if they want him, with the Twins covering said buyout. Let's hope we see the GOOD Sano and he can bring back, or help bring back, something the Twins could use.

Really??? Buxton is COMITTED to being a Twin. He's playing and doing some amazing things in the OF and at the plate while nursing a bum knee. He appeared at his 1st All Star game and gave notice to everyone about himself and the Twins. It was a moment to be celebrated by Twins fans everywhere. But we're going nowhere because Buxton is still producing and doing everything he can to contribute.? And he's the reason a still flawed team is in 1st place at the break? And he's enduring PAINFUL procedures every few days to drain his knee. And now he's having yet another needle inserted for a therapy to hopefully "fix" his knee, or at least make it better. I'm not trying to be mean or angry at all. But how in hell is Byron's working through knee procedures any sort of the "Twins going nowhere?"

100%! I was PROUD AF MY TWINS player did something HUGE on the public forum!

First of all, Buxton was well within his rights to attend the game. He's earned the right and the honor. And as fans, we should celebrate what he did. Second, I did initially hope he would opt out to actually playing to continue rest. Third, I don't know about you, but it's damn hard to get in to a doctors office without a few days to a week sometimes. Specialists can be a month! Are we sure Buxton, even with the power of MLB, wasn't already on a list? If it proves true MLB and the Twins had specialists on speed dial and could have had this done days ago and chose not to, then shame on them! But if said specialists had other cases on the books and couldn't fit Buxton in for a few days, then shame on anyone who wants to blame Buxton or the Twins or anyone else.

So another OP about Correa? Must be a day ending in "Y". But seriously, while stunned, pleased, excited by the very nature of Correa's signing, what's surprised me is my sudden fandom of the guy. He's just more than I thought he'd be. His defense is outstanding, as expected. His offense is great, as expected. But it's been the hard work and dedication and immediate leadership and team first attitude that has surprised me. I am a HUGE fan and believer in Lewis, and I'd still love to have Correa back and see Lewis move positions as a result. But there is no way he is being traded. 1] He's a part of a contending team that has a strong shot at the playoffs and a division championship that gets 3 games in the 1st round at hone. Who knows what happens. 2] You send a really bad message to fans and teammates and just about everyone else by trading one of your best players while BEING in 1st place and in contention. 3] What contending team has such a glaring hole at SS that they'd trade for him? What would you possibly get back for a 2 month rental...post season aside...consider he not only will declare FA, but would still cost about $11-12M for his rental? Everyone needs to just STOP with the whole 10yr deal. Just because Texas did it, why didn't someone else do it last offseason? You automatically think because ONE TEAM did it, it will happen again? And secondly, even if the 10yr idea was asked/required, we're another year down the road. So 10yrs becomes 9yrs if you follow basic logic. The Yankees, to their credit considering their season, and Houston as well, balked at the 10yr and $350M idea. How does Texas look right now with almost $500M spent on a pair of top SS? I believe the 3yr deal the Twins offered Correa was done in good faith, despite them knowing he was going to probably opt out. I think Correa is honest when he says he and his wife love being in Minnesota and would be open to an extension. And unless the Twins FO suddenly goes absolutely crazy with FA contracts, they have the financial flexibility to re-sign Correa for $30M plus, front loading the contract for the first 3yrs or so, on a 5yr deal. 6yrs is POSSIBLE, but puts him at 33yrs old in year 6. Just how good will he be at 32-33yrs old defensively? Hell, he might surprise! And the bat might still play! A 7th year is almost non-negotiable, unless the yearly $ numbers are a little lower and they can acceptably front load enough to make it happen. Remember, even though revenues will continue to climb, and the payroll looks really flexible for the next few years, the Twins WILL have to address arbitration increases and extensions for quality core players they want to keep. Still think a 7+yr re-sign makes sense? IF Correa and his family truly love being in Minnesota. IF Correa sees winning in the future for the Twins and wants to be a part of it. IF Correa doesn't have an ego issue and says, "how much is enough when I'm already rich". And IF nobody out there offers him 7-9yrs, willing to just eat the final years of his deal, as only a few teams can afford to do, then he might re-sign with the Twins. 5 or 6 years with his $ pro-rated the first few years, he can be back with the Twins on an extension. And I would be very, very happy with that! Otherwise, he's gone. And I'll be 100% happy with a healthy Lewis manning SS for multiple years while the Twins figure out SS for at least the first half of 2023 between Gordon, Steer, Palacios, and whatever rental they might bring on board.

The Marlins seem to be an ideal trade partner, at least on the surface. They've got room to trade pitching and the Twins have bats to offer, probably with an arm or two thrown in. And while I keep hearing the Marlins are really in need of bats, I don't know them, or their system, well enough to know exactly how in need they are. I don't want to trade Miranda in ANY deal, unless just forced to by a deal too good to pass up. And I really don't want to part with Larnach either, as I really like his future. The good news, from the Twins perspective, is they can keep the solid Urshela for 2023, have Steer just about ready, and maybe just drafted an outstanding 3B in Lee. They also have Wallner as a potential replacement for Larnach, and AK doesn't have to transition to a full time 1B tomorrow. (I still don't think I'd move Miranda unless the offer was just KILLER). A little further down the system the Twins have the very promising Julien and CES, each of whom could/should be ready over the next two years. Has Martin's profile and projection lost all luster? You don't want to sell low. But every single front office, including the Marlins, knows who the kid is. They could easily see a "get him in the OF and let him go" philosophy and get a very good player a year ot so from now. Want to get a little crazy? Sano has absolutely frustrating cold spells. But he can also carry a team for a week or two at a time. He plays a passable 1B, can be a fill in at 3B, and be a primary DH. Despite all the frustration he sometimes brings, he has a career OPS of .809 and is still under 30yrs old, IIRC. What if he's part of a deal and the Twins send cash? Suddenly he's a power plant in their 2023 lineup for a pittance. You're going to have to include an arm or two depending on the package and it's size. I mean, this could easily be a 2 for 4-6 kind of deal. But if the Twins acquire a high end arm, or two, it's OK that you gave up a couple too. The system isn't depleted by adding a couple arms and losing a couple. Yeah, the Twins and Marlns seem like perfect trade partners. And it might even be easier to get a pair of needs from one place. I can easily see HURT for both teams, which means fair, but not so much hurt either team is decimated by the losses. But I'm not going to offer up trade proposals because they are just so vague and unknown. But I think the Twins SHOULD be working the number to Miami to see what can be equitably done.

Ad roger alluded to, it's been a bit baffling that Moran does well, and then gets sent down in the roster shuffle game. And believe me, I understand the purpose behind that shuffle. But we're not talking about a 3-4 IP long/middle arm sent out for someone fresh. We're talking a 1 or 2 IP guy that looks good and is actually PERFORMING. No, he's not ready for the 8th inning at this point, but he's a good looking young arm who can help, and has a future. To me, he is a bit of an enigma, however. Despite his somewhat high BB numbers, when I've watched him, he's USUALLY in the zone. I see his control issues as more batter to batter and not perpetual. At least when I've watched him. If he could just get a little more bite, a little more consistency with his slider, I think he could be the 7-8th inning weapon he's been in the minors.

BTW, doesn't his name just scream ML pitcher? "Now pitching for the Twins, CJ Cullpepper."

IF the Twins trade for a SP, he needs to the equivalent of Gray and Ryan. It's easy to just say "go get so and so", but harder to actually pull it off. You're competing with other teams, and what is the cost? Does your system actually fit with what the other team is looking to add? So while someone better than Gray or Ryan would be awesome, as good still gives the team THREE solid SP that you can feel good about on the mound in a playoff game. A really nice #3 with control and maybe upside wouldn't stink, even if falling a little short of the mark. I don't think Thor fits any of this criteria. There's a decent chance he's better, and closer to his precious self in 2023, further removed from injury and recovery. But he's only a rental and one that probably isn't any better than Winder, a healthy Dobnak, even Bundy or 4 IP "opener" like Archer. I don't see a fit unless he comes really cheap and the FO see something to tweak the Angels haven't found.