DocBauer

I'm with MN_ExPat. I am a fan and supporter of baseball and want it healthy and growing and being the best it can be. Even now, my "SIDE" is baseball and not the owners or players. But at some point I have to shake my head at the owners. I fully appreciate that it's a business. I would NEVER tell a business owner you shouldn't make money, or lose money, just to put your product out there. But the overall product of MLB is better with competition and excitement for the various fan bases. That excitement allows for growth, which means even MORE MONEY coming in! It's basic business sense. And one of the best things they can do is share the wealth more evenly to create better competition, in other words, a more equitable playing field for all. But I can understand some large market teams hesitant for greater profit sharing because they haven't created a FLOOR that basically forces smaller market teams to spend vs pocketing money shared. So they aren't holding THEMSELVES in check! And while I support the players on a higher annual pay scale, greater yearly guaranteed increases, and some sort of earlier FA for players who reach the league at an older age, I simply can't condone a pervasive attitude about increasing the luxury tax threshold and a universal earlier FA status that caters to the high market teams. It absolutely feels as though they want to cater to the top 20% and let everyone else in their union fend for themselves. Shouldn't they be more concerned about the competitive nature of the game they play, the growth of their profession, and greater financial benefits for their entire union? I don't see an easy answer here only because basic logic seems to be thrown put the window on both sides. And Manfred, being employed by the owners, doesn't have enough love for the game, common sense, or brass, to just remind or inform the owners that they have the ability to make this all work if they just "balance" their own portion of financial responsibility in regard to the health of the game. I'm not on the side of the players for some of the demands they have made. But I think the onus is on ownership to put something together that makes sense for both sides and the good of the game.

Good, bad, right, or wrong, push has come to shove and the Twins have to either package a bunch of arms in deals, OR, they have to start pitching and auditioning these kids for now and the future. And I think we know which way they're going to go. And I'm OK with that, it's got to be done. We might even surprise a lot of pundits, and ourselves, and actually have an OK year piecing it all together. I still think they will sign at least one additional FA arm, maybe two, because it's a long season, presumedly, and we need IP. BTW, nice to have you back Brian! Missed ya dude!

I have to confess I forgot to list Ober in my post, but only because I was thinking he's "made it" at this point and not a "prospect" only because he no longer qualifies as a rookie. So that was me placing a qualifier on him. But adding him to the conversation, and he should be, onlybre-affirms my position on the numbers who will meet your criteria. And I like your breakdown of two groupings. One so very close and another too far away right now but talented and worth speculating on. Concerning the 2nd group, Hajjer and Povich could sky rocket being high selections and college pitchers. Enlow will obviously need a little time to get healthy and re-established again. Not sure what I might be missing on Sands. So many have him penciled in as a bullpen piece but he's been getting the job done in the rotation each and every year. I found it very interesting during the last Gleeman and the Geek podcast that Aaron had heard Raya looked terrific coming out of instructs. Lastly, I'm higher on Strotman than most. He was actually ranked higher than Ryan in the Ray's system before his injury. Post TJ he skipped AA and went straight to AAA. That's pretty significant. His control was a little off, as might be expected, but his overall performance was quite good. Now, was he trying to hard to prove himself to the Twins post trade, or was he running out of gas? Hard to say. But he's got the frame, mid to upper 90's velocity with at least decent offerings. I could easily be wrong, but I've just got a feeling he's going to surprise us this year.

I have no issue with his prospect "ranking" dropping because it won't make a bit of difference to him or the Twins. Especially when he makes it. But to put everything in perspective, I believe he played most of 2019 with an injury. I want to say an ankle but can't recall completely. The Twins still thought enough of him to promote him just after mid season. And while he never hit well, he was healthy and ready to go in the AFL where he was the MVP, flashing his potential. I don't know if anyone really knows what he looked like in 2020 over in St Paul but I have yet to hear anything negative. So he was still working and scrimaging with coaches and teammates instead of playing Xbox, as someone referenced. The bad knee before 2021 hurts and slows his development down. But despite no milb season in 2020, he still put in the work. I don't know when he'll be ready, but I fly expect that he WILL make it. And it could be as early as 2023, with a chance of a late 2022 debut. I could care less about anyone's public ranking of him.

About Duran specifically, while he might indeed end up in the pen, after a missed 2020 and elbow issues in 2021...quite possibly due to the lost 2020...baby the guy and his arm all you have to in order to stretch him out and ap him back up. He's not old. His arm is special and his stuff can be filthy. Give him all of this season if you have to, but you absolutely keep him in the rotation.

I said 8-9 and not just because I'm a homer and eternal optimist. I chose that due to the number of viable arms in the system, and because eventually a couple of them will be traded to other teams and probably have some success elsewhere. Additionally, a couple will meet the criteria as RP. MLR, love the post and I think your criteria is fair. But in addition to "how many" we could also discuss a list of "most likely". Granted, that's hard due to some very interesting arms only drafted the last couple of years and delays from covid, etc, just saying it might be interesting to discuss "best bets" as far as we can speculate. I like Ryan a lot, though I'm not sure yet if he rises above being a #3. I disagree his delivery is a problem. I think it's just "different" wich is also part of what makes him so successful despite average velocity. I think Winder and Balazovic have the stuff, and the build, to be stalwarts. How good could they be? I NEVER predict ANYTHING like ACE potential because it's just bogus to do so. History has shown flame outs and guys you never expected to be an ACE becoming such after a few years of experience. But I would say these 2 have a real chance to be top of the order arms. PURE STUFF in the system belongs to Duran, Canterino and the way too young to even talk about Petty. IMO, we simply can't dismiss 2020 affecting 2021 and be woeful in regard to injuries suffered by pitchers. ALL teams were affected at both the ML AND the milb level. At this point there is zero reason to believe Duran and Canterino are injury risks. How about they just have a "normal" off-season now and see what 2022 brings? As talented as they both are, I'm 100% OK if the Twins "baby" them a bit initially. Cantrino has a very strange windup. I get that. But he states it's comfortable,repeatable, and it produced a great college career. For now, I'm accepting of what he says and waiting to see what this season brings. At WORST, these 2 provide a high ceiling as BP arms IF their delivery/arms force such a move. I think Sands just might surprise us all. He just keeps doing well and keeps getting the job done. Vallimont's control, and WHIP, were much better in 2019 than 2021. His K rates are great and his stuff is nasty. That's why he was protected. Just how good might he be if the 2019 version is closer to his potential? Granted, he's a wild card in this conversation as a SP or RP or flameout. But he's got an arm! SWR is just so young, and promoted so quickly, but is and has been so highly regarded as a prospect with so much potential, who cares if he needs 2yrs to arrive? Strotman is a guy I'm focusing on. He throws mid to upper 90's and seems to have some solid secondary pitches. He's been promoted aggressively after his TJ. His AAA numbers before the Twins acquired him were very solid. He's confessed he was still working on some things and maybe tried too hard to impress his new team after the trade. He was NOT a "throw in" with Ryan in the Cruz trade. I'm going to stop here before I get in to the next 5-7 options including Varland, Gipson-Long, Laweryson, etc, our top draftees from 2021, etc. And I haven't touched on BP options such as Moran, Gore, etc. I don't need to. Not everyone will make it, much less make a difference or meet the OP criteria. But the depth and number of options to "make a difference" and meet the listed criteria tells me at least 8-9 will do so. We should be very excited about what's coming up the next couple of years, and what they might become, IMHO.

I'm still really confused about Petty's draft slot, though I am super pleased we got him. He seems to compare favorably to Greene coming out of HS ball, but was selected over 20 picks later. IIRC, Greene might have had a little bigger frame when selected. Is that the only reason? Really pleased but puzzled Petty lasted as long as he did, despite the inherent risk that comes with a HS arm. I completely agree with jmlease1 that in addition to perfecting his change, what he has to work on most is learning how to "pitch". And I think that's something a lot of people forget when looking at velocity and sweeping breaking balls and high K rates. Pitching is still an art form to be learned, how to approach and set up hitters, etc. It's not pure stuff. I wouldn't be surprised if he spends all of 2022 at Ft Myers. I also wouldn't be surprised if he spent a month at Cedar Rapids to end the season, especially if the change starts to round in to form. I also wouldn't be surprised if he spends some time in 2023 between A+ and AA working on a 4th offering, a cutter or splitter perhaps, to play off that FB and slider. Even if it was an occasional "show me" pitch, any sort of 4th offering, even mediocre, could really confuse batters.

I'm happy with all 3 choices and think all are very deserving. Gladden, IMO, brought more to the team than defense and some solid but not incredible numbers. He brought hustle, spirit, and a bit of an edge that I think really helped propel both WS teams. (Personally, I like him as the color guy on the radio even if his play by play is a little rough.) I know some are a little down on Gardy and I'm not going to belabor any of the points I've heard before. While he was in charge of some bad teams, I'm not sure how some of those poor teams are his fault. Further, he was the man in charge of some very good, winning, playoff teams. He never got us to the WS, and a few injuries didn't help. The FO might have made a difference if they had added even a couple more depth pieces as well. But I can't deny the success so many of his teams had. I didn't always like everything he said or did, but I can't argue with those good seasons. He was still the man in charge for those good years. Tovar probably should have been in already.

I want to say Puckett. I loved what he did on the field and his smile and love for the game and the energy he played with. I listened to his debut on the radio and have loved Kirby since day one. But there is just something about Hrbek, the local kid who did good, the outstanding 1B who never got the love he deserved for his defense, or his consistency, who ALWAYS produced in a quiet way that makes him my all time favorite. FWIW, Puckett is a super close #2 with Hunter and Cuddyer tied for #3.

I am OK with the Bundy signing, and was when I'm pretty sure I mentioned somewhere along the line a couple months ago as a flier candidate. I expect no magic and I doubt he will be the 2020 version of himself. But if he can be a mixture of his best Orioles days and 2020, we have a solid #3 who will pitch better than that some days. But I'm just not excited. I don't think Dobnak is done. He FLEW through the system in 2019 before hitting the ML level and looked like he belonged. He was quite good in 2020 and helped stabilize the staff for about 3/4 of that abbreviated season before a bad game where he got squeezed and the defense let him down. IIRC, I want to say he had a slight injury and wasn't quite the same and was sent out. Still not sure I understand his having a great 2021 ST but being squeezed out. I think that was a big mistake that he he never had time to recover from. He didn't seem comfortable as a RP, but did well at St Paul before being promoted again and then getting hurt. I remain totally confused if his new slider was an illusion that was quickly figured out, or was he hurting before officially being injured, or did he just never get in a groove before being injured due to his bouncing around? Combination of all 3?? I agree he could get passed by quickly with all the young arms on the rise, many of which we will see in 2022. But I think he's smart enough, bulldog enough, and has enough stuff to be an OK, solid backend SP without his "new" slider. But I have to see him do it again at this point. But I haven't given up on him yet. Cotton is a mystery man I wasn't crazy about when they got him. Of course, I knew nothing about him. Then I dug in to his history, his stuff and rankings, his injuries, and his "rebirth" as a RP for Texas in AAA and how he finished 2021 in their pen. My first thought then was, why on earth did they let him walk? Healthy again, he's got the stuff to be a legitimate pen option. Now I read discussion he might be a SP sleeper candidate. Maybe. It would be a huge stretch at this point in his career, IMO. There comes a time when certain things just pass you by. I believe he has reached the point in his career where he has a chance to be a quality middle man who can go 1-3IP and be effective but that's probably his ceiling. Of course, he could also be an opener depending on how the Twins approach their 2022 season, but the job is pretty much the same. I honestly can't rank these 3. I believe all of them could "bounce back" to actually contribute, but all in different ways. I think Cotton gets ML time, but the Twins are going to rotate arms all season long for audition and usage sake. That's not necessarily a bad thing. But it's up to Cotton to show enough and prove enough he should STAY up. We need GS and IP. Unless the FO surprises or dazzles us with moves, they will probably add at least one mediocre SP, maybe two. I keep thinking Pineda and either Tyler Anderson or Kikuchi. (For the record, I'm far more interested in Kikuchi and some untapped potential). Even then, there is going to be a lot of opportunity to promote and audition about 10 young arms across the season in various roles. (Starters and relievers). Bundy has ML experience and an uneven portfolio. And his 2nd year option is a "if the light comes on" option and nothing more. Make no mistake about that. Dobber is younger, cheaper, and may have as much upside right now. Twist my arm, I'd pick Dobnak over Bundy as the better bounce back option.

While RP can indeed just lose it all of a sudden, Rogers is still only 31yo and shown no loss of velocity and never has had any major injury that I can recall. I'd like to think his finger is going to be OK and he'll be his old self again. And that old self is someone I think has another 2-3 really good seasons left. Still, I just can't extend him until I see him throw and feel the finger is going to hold up.

Just wanted to say that Canterino didn't pitch much in 2019 due to his coming off a a college season in which he nearly hit 100 innings. Like most everyone, he missed 2020 except for some instructs and the like. Now, I think he should have jumped to AA to begin the year, but I'm sure he would have been there quickly. But the lost 2020 season affected a lot of pitching prospects and not just in the Twins system. Injuries like TJ can happen to any pitcher at any time. But unless something has happened more serious, potentially, that the Twins know and none of us are privy to, he was shut down as a precautionary move. I think we should accept that at this point. Same with Duran, Winder, etc.

Yes to Ortiz. Yes to Nathan based on the changes of the game the last 10-20yrs and how good he was and how dominate and how he ranks against some other RP in and being considered. At worst, he should get enough votes to remain on the ballot for a while for further consideration. Maybe to Hunter. There was a tremendous OP about his consideration and value about a month ago that really gives pause when you look at awards, numbers and accomplishments and how he ranked vs CF's already enshrined. Seems like an obvious choice. Then you look at things like career BA and OPS and you just aren't as sure. I do enjoy the "if Harold Baines deserved it" argument and there's something to be said for that. I think he's worthy, but he might be a "just worthy" candidate who may need a couple years on the ballot for voters to reflect and appreciate his career more. No to Justin and AJ. AJ had a long, productive and excellent career. I think he was often undervalued. And maybe I'm wrong, but it didn't appear "special" enough to warrant the HOF. Justin is a HOF guy, teammate, representative of MLB, etc. He WAS "special" on the field. He was probably on his way to a potential HOF type career before he/it was curtailed by his concussions. The "what could have been" mantra is well known to even younger Twins fans when you reflect on Oliva, Puckett, Koskie, Mauer and the recently retired Liriano. We should probably also include Santana in the conversation. Now, Puckett made it. Oliva finally did. And if Morneau had been a catcher, SS, CF, or even a quality RF the discussion of a career shortened due to injury might be different. But I think his being 1B ...and a damn fine one...will exclude him from the "what if" worthy of consideration formula. It may not be fair, but it's reality.

All 3 make sense. But are any of these better than the FA options still available that cost $ but zero prospects? I am fully in for someone to help anchor the back end of the bullpen. I simply question the cost/return of a traded for RP vs a contract only for a FA RP that's still out there.

POTENTIALLY, the Twins could have a logjam at reserve infield quite soon. Miranda needs to play, and I believe he will do so, and often, even if he doesn't break camp with the Twins initially in 2022. It's not about service time, but simply room on the roster if everyone is healthy. Gordon has some hit potential, speed, and OK defense across the field. Arraez is a special and different kind of hitter who can fill-in 2/3 spots and be OK defensively and also DH. There's absolutely nothing wrong with your DH being a high average/OB hitter on some days when you have a quality lineup. Steer could be ready by the end of 2022 and would seem prepared for 2023. Julien may not be far behind him. Martin could end up as a super utility player with a great hit tool, OB ability, solid speed and budding power. A younger version of Marwin Gonzalez, if you will. He might also settle in as the LF quite soon with all of that potential and still be able to help cover other positions. But Steer, Julien and Martin aren't ready yet. So I don't feel the redundancy is there YET. And injuries will happen. Depth is important, as is a table setter for the lineup. As others have stated, I'm OK to trade Arraez if the return makes sense. But I'm also not necessarily looking to trade him. All that being said, I'm not interested in extending him now because I want to see how his knees hold up in 2022. There is no rush with him under control at this time. Further, even if he's healthy and has a great season, the development of the players previously mentioned could make the infield in 2023 look very different and very crowded indeed. So I'd hold off an extension for now.

With all due respect to Terry Ryan, who I liked and appreciated very much for what he accomplished, I'm not sure he would have pulled the trigger to add a depth piece or two back in the early 2000's to help us get over the proverbial hump...BUT...I would have LOVED to see what the Twins might have accomplished over a 3-4yr run with a healthy Santana, Liriano and Radke heading the rotation. It could have been wonderful. I feel bad Liriano became a victim to the evil injury baseball gods, but MY GOODNESS how he shined for a brief time! I wish him the best in his retirement.

I won't speak for Seth directly, but as someone who has been following the Twins milb teams/prospects since my teens, the early-mid 80's had a group of Gasser, Bumgarner, Nivens, Banks, Sontag, Newman and Pittman that was highly regarded and expected to give the Twins real hope. Alas, only Banks ever did much of anything, and it wasn't a lot. Newman I belive had some success as a coach. By no means does that mean this group won't be outstanding, just offering up a list that at one time was probably comparable.

Assuming there is anything close to a full season of games played...and hopefully a full 162...the Twins need GS and IP. Adding to the rotation is basically a necessity. And one way or another, it's going to happen. The problem is, we aren't really sure what the plan is the FO has in mind. Other than some rumors about kicking the tires on Gray, and despite this FO always playing things close to the vest, they clearly were out on the FA SP market this year. Now, they could absolutely blow us away and surprise us and sign Rodon, even to a 1yr, and then sign or trade for someone else help fill in the front of the rotation behind him. I'm not expecting that, but I've been surprised by many of their signings in the past, including Donaldson. So you can never say never with our FO. But the issue/problem as I see it, why would they trade for a guy or two, and give up prospects they've worked so hard to draft and trade for, for a couple short term deals of 1 or 2yrs? They could have spent $, kept all their prospects, and still not exceeded 3 or 4yr deals for a number of the FA they passed on. Again, the FO could totally surprise us. They have before. But from the outside looking in it sure appears they are looking to promote/audition/roll through a number of young arms in 2022 to build for the future, while looking for BP pieces that have options and relying on an offense that could/should be potent to "compete". (Debate all you want to about being competitive in this scenario, that's not the point I'm addressing directly at the moment). Cody, I appreciate your work and speculation here, but Oddo is the only guy that makes sense here, IMO. He makes sense because he's familiar to the Twins, and vice versa, has had a solid career that is "proven", and could probably be obtained on the cheap from a Houston team where he doesn't seem to "fit". But the others? I just don't see it. Why not keep your prospects and re-sign Pineda? He's an almost lock for 25-26 GS and 130IP. Tyler Anderson and Kikuchi are LH options that only cost a little $, no prospects, and each pitched over 100 innings in 2021. Kikuchi in particular intrigues me because it seems he hasn't performed yet to what his stuff says should play. How about a 1+1 for a "young-ish" LH that might take another step with a different organization and a different staff? If we're trying to build something, and we aren't going to make major FA signings or major trades because we have so many young arms with potential we need to start seeing and working with, then just re-sign Pineda and sign Kikuchi to go along with Bundy, Ober, Ryan, Dobnak, Winder, Strotman, Balazovic and Sands and add a couple interesting or proven arms for the pen and run with a collection of #3 arms and tons of depth and a deep pen and quality lineup and try to compete in 2022...which COULD happen...and build for 2023. Your finances are FINE in 2023 and beyond to add and make moves. But just don't give up young talent to add to the staff where just $ can add as good or better while you re-tooling said staff.

One thing I've thought about the past few days is the length of the lockout and how it might affect ST. Agreed the prospects are going to get their shot, deservedly so and NEEDED at this point. But any sort of abbreviated ST might increase the need and "value" of an OK veteran arm while the young arms ramp up in St Paul due to lack of spring opportunity. As you stated, a lot of unknowns and we're stuck with pure conjecture at this point.

A good list. I also would slot Cruz a couple slots higher but can't quibble much with the rankings here. I think this list could have easily gone another couple of spots to include the Maeda and Odorizzi trades. Frankly, I think an arguement could be made that acquiring Alcala, Celestino and Duran were very good moves as well. I know we are just begining to see the potential with those 3, but Alcala is starting to flash. Celestino is looking like a potentially outstanding 4th OF with possible starting potential. And even IF Duran ends up in the BP eventually...and by no means am I saying he will or should at this point...the potential to be dominate is there. I see this/these as examples where the FO hasn't always been right in what they did or didn't do, but a reminder that focusing on merely the negatives is a disappointing exercise without looking at all the positive moves in comparison.

Full confession, I had completely forgotten about him when I read about his signing today. After reading this, it all came back to me. And yes, when he left it looked like the Twins may have made a mistake. But baseball is a beautiful mistress who can be cruel at times and it now looks like the Twins were right at the time. (This happens all across baseball, not just in regard to the Twins). So when someone signs elsewhere, or is rule 5 selected, we have to see how things transpire down the road vs 1yr before we make any sort of "mistake" decision. I see him as nothing more than a depth signing at this point. Just like the ML team, the Saints will have injuries and promotions and will need arms. I just have to believe he's a pen option at this point where his stuff might play up in shorter stints.

Can't thank you enough Seth for these tremendous lists! Just great work and great thought and detail. (Really like the split of pitchers and position players). I was briefly surprised as to Canterino at #1, but as I thought about it, you're right. His stuff and ceiling is as good or better than anyone here. I do think I would have Duran higher based on similar stuff and ceiling. Can't "penalize" him for limited IP but then dismiss Canterino for the same. But I absolutely agree you could really arrange the top 8-10 in just about any order and you wouldn't be wrong. I think the mound is going to be interesting and tantalizing over the next couple of years. Here's hoping for good health in 2022 and a sense of "normalcy" so all these guys can develop and move forward.

Again, I think we're pretty much on the same page. I reference Rodon because there may be an opportunity for a 1yr and the money is there, assuming he checks out physically. He'd be a nice front to the rotation if they really want to contend in 2022. But I also don't see it happening. Then again, I didn't see the Donaldson signing coming either. I'm mixed on the addition of a 2nd veteran SP. On the one hand, we have, potentially, 5 or 6 arms to audition and get their feet wet and even run them between St Paul and the Twins as needed. But there is also the IP factor to consider. I just wouldn't be shocked at all if they brought in a pair of arms for depth and innings. And while I'm not crazy about any remaining FA, other than Pineda, I think it would make more sense to look at someone like Kikuchi or Anderson rather than trade for someone with only a year or two of control. I think that functions as a too expensive of a bandaid, player capital wise, when you already passed on the first round of FA that would have only cost $. In addition to all the kids to work with, one name I hadn't thought about was Jharel Cotton. There was an interesting article on Fangraphs a few days ago in which the writer extolled his potential as a mid to back end SP option now that he's healthy and seemingly "back". I have only seen him as a BP piece going forward. And I think that's how the Twins see him. Still, it got me wondering. All good stuff and fodder for speculation whenever this damned lockout is over. And that can't happen soon enough!

I tend to agree with you here. I'm almost more curious about SS as I am the rotation. I'm really starting to like the idea of a "cheap" trade with the Cardinals for DeLong as I don't think they want to pay him to be a backup. And we can easily afford him. And I agree that I think Pineda is an easy sign and both parties are in agreement on something. My question to you is do you really think they are done there? I'm not so sure. I DON'T think they are looking at a major trade that will cost them someone from the ML roster of real importance...Arraez may be the exception...or moving TOP prospects that they have worked so hard to acquire. As ticked off as we are right now for missed opportunity to do SOMETHING, we also have to remember how and when Odorizzi and Maeda were added. Can they yet again pull a rabbit out of their cap??? Dunno. I see a couple of possibilities to add, in addition to Pineda, without costing players/prospects. 1] For various reasons, Rodon is still out there. Do the Twins do a 1yr for around $20M-ish, maybe with a 2nd year option? Or is everyone going to jump at the chance post lockout to bring him in? 2] Tyler Anderson is still out there as an experienced, mediocre, but OK SP who can eat some IP and actually pitched 167 innings last year. Kikuchi has some quality stuff that hasn't fully manifested in to production yet. Do you see a move for one of these on a short term deal? I do. Nothing given up player or prospect wise and room to still promote and audition the young arms. But still lends some authenticity to the rotation. Thoughts?

I will attempt to answer your Berrios question the best I can. The FO is not opposed to extensions, if it makes sense to them. Witness early extensions to Kepler, Polanco and Sano. Those extensions are very "Cleveland-like", as well as others, when you guarantee money to a young player. They extended Buxton to a long term deal. They stepped up to sign Donaldson. They offered Wheeler an initial deal that was shot down immediately because he wanted to stay on the east coast. A couple years ago they were in on Darvish and were at the top of his list, until the Cubs upped their offer with an extra guaranteed year. There remains debate as to Berrios's decision to test the market vs signing an extension. That's all the more confusing as he upped with Toronto before hitting the market. IMO, it was NOT the annual salary. Right or wrong, the FO simply doesn't believe in signing a pitcher beyond 4-5yrs. I suppose if they had a true ACE SP on the team, or someone they felt was on the verge of becoming one, they might change their philosophy. They DID attempt to sign Berrios to an extension each of the previous couple years but couldn't come to terms, or, Berrios wasn't interested enough. And that's no knock on Jose! Sometimes it just is what it is. The FO decided it was simply prudent to move him, get a great return, and move to the next chapter. I don't endorse or rally negative for their decision in my explanation. That's a whole different topic, lol. But again, their philosophy is to not overpay for extended SP contracts. History will tell you they are correct. But history will also indicate wins and losses and the value of early returns vs losses later on and can your organization absorb those losses. Again, a different debate.