DocBauer

There are about 5 posts I want to just scream "THIS"! So I am forced to merely LIKE those posts and add my own comments. (And YES to everyone debating in a wonderfully civil tone). 1] Absolutely agree, and have argued this point previously many times, that the FO got the short straw when initially hired. Despite being FO executives in MLB, there was no way for them to fully know, understand, or comprehend the entirety of the Twins system from existing infrastructure to the ML roster on down through the milb system, including coaches and instructors. They basically took control the first of Novemeber and hit the ground running making their evaluations and beginning to implement changes. The fact that they inherited some quality young players to build with was a HUGE positive. HOWEVER, those players had yet to congeal in to anything resembling a successful team. How many teams in all sports have we seen underachieve, or not yet approach their ceilings, and then a staff turns over, a new way of doing things is implemented, and progress and winning is achieved? Kudos to the Ryan administration for brining these players to the organization, but some "automatic" improvement/achievement is short-sighted. 2] If we want to give the FO a pass or sorts for their 1st year, I'm OK with that for all the reasons previously mentioned. But they still produced a winning 2017. What's most important is the changes they began in regard to infrastructure changes. Sawyer made HUGE changes in the development of catching within the system. The results were so dramatic and well received him we lost him to the DAMN Yankees. Shelton was valuable as a bench coach, instructor and good baseball man. Then we lost him to a manager gig. Rowson did a tremendous job and then was hired away for a promotion to the Marlins. Hefner was so well respected as out bullpen/assistant pitching coach he became the Mets pitching coach. So the FO sure seems to know how to identify good coaching talent. Current and former players who are still around and plugged in to the system have commented on the changes within the system in regard to approach changes and having a more personalized approach to player development throughout the system. So they have been doing an awful lot of things very, very right thus far in regard to the infrastructure. 3] Prospect and especially pitcher pipeline? Just how fast have some people expected draft choices made the last 4yrs to reach the majors? Look, I don't like every selection made, but Lewis, for example, misses all of 2020 and then has an unfortunate injury that is going to cost him 2021. That's the fault of the FO? Enlow looked like he was going to turn a corner this season and got hurt. Again, the fault of the FO? Jeffers has already reached, so has Larnach, obviously with mixed results. But you can see the potential. And there are a number of good looking players only in their 1st-3rd seasons within the system showing potential. But let's just look at the pitching pipeline we've been promised. At the ML level, we got a pair of productive steals in Odorizzi and Maeda. They had a smart idea of brining in Pineda on a make good, rehab deal. And despite some hiccups, he's been solid to great since he recovered from his original surgery. Prospect wise? This organization is about as deep as its EVER been in pitching prospects. Jordy Blaze was drafted by the previous FO in 2016. But it's been under THIS FO and their watch he has developed. Look at every, single SP prospect in the system, including Ober and Dobnak, (however you feel about Dobber and what he's done so far and might yet do), have been signed, drafted, or traded for in the last 2-3 yrs by THIS FO. This includes Winder, Duran, Sands, Canterino, Sands, Enlow, etc, etc. So where is the pipeline? It's coming! We have only seen the tip of the iceberg thus far with Ober, Dobber, maybe Jax to some degree. A lost 2020 season and injuries in 2021 stink! But het again, this is the fault of the FO? I like this FO so much, so far, for their infrastructure changes. I don't like every draft choice they have made to be sure, but I also can't argue a lot at this point after just a few years and a lot of great choices they have seemingly made. Its just way too early. And I can't say I've agreed with every ML move they've made, especially a couple FA choices. But I also can't say I have a leg to stand on with some of their choices. A few of the guys I would have wanted/ signed turned out to be a poor idea. (Me playing amateur GM). I wanted Odorizzi or Walker instead of Happ on a 1yr. But I was fine with Happ, and he looked really good early. And we all know that. I was OK with Shoemaker, healthy, on a 1yr $2M flier. But I would have given Dobnak the 5th spot to open the year. Is that Rocco or the FO making a mistake there? Most of my BP choices woukd have turned as bad or worse than my choices. So I guess I'd already be fired, LOL. But almost universally, "experts" thought what the FO did was smart and they were poised to challenge for the ALC yet again and reach the playoffs. And then the 2021 season actually played out. So after several years of just lousy, losing baseball, the current FO implements changes from top to bottom and bottom to top. Their teams have 3 winning seasons, including 2 divisional championships, one season slightly under .500 and one just horrible and disappointing season. There remains a lot of player talent not exactly old, and have auditioned more than a few quality prospects who show real potential. They have a quality milb system with some of the best pitching prospects we have seen in about 30yrs. And make no mistake, there is work to be done for 2022. But it is short-sighted, and assanine IMO, to look at what has been achieved thus far and think or demand that some change needs to be made. Just ridiculous! This FO needs and deserves 2 more years to see this through, make some moves, and let their prospects rise up.

I wish I could have watched the game instead of just checking the box score and the listening to the break up of the perfect game while in my car. Even though Cleveland has a less than stellar lineup, how can you not be impressed for what Ryan did tonight? He was amazing! This kid is riding lightening right now and the Twins need to give him all the chances they can to get him ready for 2022. He has the stuff and the attitude to be a stalwart. Just how good he can be is yet to be determined, obviously. I am super amped up as to his potential as a potential ML SP piece for the Twins. But I'm also a realist. I am NOT being a downer, but I still want to see Johnson work with him the rest of the year and going in to next season on some sort of reliable 3rd pitch. He finds any sort of 3rd pitch with his FB, slider, and control and moxy, he just might be special. At WORST, we might be looking at a really good #2 or excellent #3 SP. And let us pause for a moment to remember how good Ober has looked and developed while even making some adjustments on the fly. I want to be guarded knowing growing pains will happen at some point, but, how can you not be excited this first wave of young rotation pieces, one developed and one brought in? Really excited as to how each finishes the season. Also really excited to see what Dobber does to finish the year, healthy again. Despite some bad pitches and some poor defense there was a lot to like from his last start. IF he can finish 2021 looking like the initial 2020 version of himself, the Twins could be looking at a 2022 pipeline of young SP talent for the future. There's still a lot to play for this season, even in a lost year, to get ready for 2022.

Totally agree. Sometimes there just isn't a fit and both parties need to move on. And I'm not so sure that isn't the case here as well. But you can also easily imagine Colome going somewhere else for a fresh start and simply performing to his career standards and voices clamoring as to why he didn't do that for a full season for the Twins and why didn't they keep him, etc. I am NOT saying the Twins SHOULD keep him. I'm just saying, keeping him as a proven 7th/8th IP option shouldn't be discounted because of 2 terrible months.

No. They did not mis-evaluate their signings. They just didn't turn out. And they pretty much ALL didn't turn out. That doesn't mean they mis-evaluated. Happ has had a pretty solid career. He was coming off a solid season. Be started this year quite well and suddenly fell apart for whatever reason3. For the first month or so he looked like a great #4 SP option. Shoemaker was signed on a very cheap 1yr deal as a #5 SP who has had a lot of solid success when healthy. He was NOT signed as any savior, just an interesting #5 flier with potential as a spot holder, We're going to blast the FO for a 1yr $2M flier spot holder? Please! Colome had each and every one of us cursing his first 2 months. Like some perverse Invasion of the Body Snatchers, he was NOT the guy we signed. BUT ,despite a few bad games, have you checked out what he's been since around the 1st of June? Since then he's been the guy we THOUGHT we were signing, Robles, to me, was a cheap key to our bullpen. He stunk. Then he was good. Then he stunk again. I may be more disappointed in him vs any other signing. The FO didn't BLOW anything. They speculated and made smart decisions that just turned out WRONG. Sucks, sucks BIG TIME, but it happens. Boston was supposed to fight the Orioles for last place in the AL East. The Giants were supposed to be re-building. The Padres were supposed to win 100 games and get to the WS and maybe win it. The Angels may have the best 2 players in all of MLB. How have those teams turned out? I am NO apologist for our FO, though I like them, because there are indeed moves they have made and not made I disagree with. And their FA trade record is questionable at this point to be sure. But there is a difference between doing things wrong and things not going right. And they have pressure on them in regard to 2022 to "guess" right.

The FO or Rocco has apparently decided he can't play a decent SS at the ML level. FINE. They are far smarter and more plugged in than I am. But then why in hell have I watched him playing SS the past two ST? I'm NOT saying Polanco shouldn't be the #1 backup SS at the ML level, but why doesn't Gordon at least get a shot to see what he can do there? I have ZERO illusions the kid is going to go somewhere and become a high quality ML player...other than maybe at 2B for a losing team just looking for potential. But if you liked him enough to protect him, stick by him, and believe enough in his athleticism to learn CF/OF on the fly, and drop him back down to AAA with the purpose of getting AB and playing EVERYWHERE, then for goodness sake let him play at the ML level EVERYWHERE. And that includes SS. I expect no greatness but you might actually end up with an inexpensive, speedy, utility player. Far short of his original draft status and initial hope, but what's wrong with gaining some real value for him?

I remember when Cabbage and Blankenhorn were drafted. Back to back or very close as I recall. And I remember the scouting reports for each was very similar, good, multi-sport athletes with a chance to really blossom given time to concentrate on just baseball. Blankenhorn, honestly, quickly surpassed Cabbage in the system. I saw a ceiling of solid, productive 3B with a floor of valuable RH bat useful utility player. And Cabbage just never seemed to hit his stride. Crazy how things change a year plus later where Blankenhorn is gone and Cabbage is having the best season of his young career. I'm unsure about his defense at 1B or the OF, But he clearly has to hit better, K less. BUT, he's still here, and producing. He's probably targeted for a return to Wichita to begin 2022, but he's made huge strides in 2021.

Love and enjoy every game the Twins win. But a few comments to toss out there: 1] I've been pleasantly surprised by Gant. I saw him as a toss-in when the trade was made. But not only have I been pleasantly surprised thus far, but I've looked at his career numbers a couple of times. They are nothing special, but they aren't bad either. His career K/9 is nothing great, but career ERA, AVG, and WHiP are solid. I get the Twins are looking at him as a POSSIBLE SP, and they kind of have to right now out of necessity. But everything about him just screams to me as him being a quality, dependable middle man. And there's real value in that. I hope that's where he ends up. 2] Good for Rooker. Just wish he could do that more often, as well as just make better contact. There's still something there to like and work with. It's all up to him at this point. 3] Anyone else paying attention to Alcala? Despite some good highs and really bad lows, he had a couple pretty good games before his IL stint. Since his return, he's had a few really good performances. I'm taking 2021 as a good building block for his future. 4] Please don't make me duck and cover for this, but I'm starting to think the Twins would be smart to pick up Colome's 2nd year. (Initial and obligatory duck). Despite a few bad performances...which happen...the numbers for his last 30 games are pretty stellar: 2-0/ 2.73 ERA/ 11SV/ 1.21 WHiP. I believe his 30G dates back to around June 1st. Since then, he's pretty much been what he was supposed to be despite a few hiccups. I absolutely want the Twins to bring in a quality RH arm for $5-7M to work with Rogers, and another $2-3M version of Robles that can, hopefully, be more consistent. Can't believe im saying this after April and May, but maybe keeping Colome as a veteran performer in a set-up role isn't so crazy if you look at his career and the past 3 months.

In regard to Jax, all I can think is, what might have been if the Twins had guessed right and they would have changed the obligation rules earlier as they had expected/hoped. At this point, despite pitching at the ML level and showing SOME promise, sure seems like he's looking like a quality middle RP. Tòo bad. Shoulda/coulda/woulda. I keep wondering about Simmons. Is he playing to help the staff at this point defensively? Are the Twins thinking about re-signing him for 2022 on a smaller deal as a fill-in and just wanting to see how he finishes/responds? Otherwise, I'd just say STOP. Let him go and do something crazy and let SS be played by almost anyone. Use his roster spot for Miranda. Maybe go completely nuts and bring up someone like Palacious for 3 weeks. Just saying, if you don't expect/want him back, just use the roster spot for SOMEONE. Still fine auditioning various arms to see who you want to keep or invite back. That's what you do at the end of a disappointing season.

Initial, short answer is YES, it's way too early to dismiss him as a prospect. Detailed, longer response, EVERY SINGLE PROSPECT is DIFFERENT than EVERY OTHER PROSPECT. If that wasn't the case, MLB would assemble a draft depth chart on some sort of (fantasy) projection algorithm and teams would decide what position they needed most, and when they would project to need them, and would place an order for "the 7th rated SS on the list that should be ready in 4yrs as we're probably OK until then". If you pull up the draft grades of Gordon and Cavaco, they match almost exactly the same across the board, despite them being drafted 8 spots from one another. Without going in too great of detail, virtually identical in HIT ability and Gordon having a slight edge in arm, speed and fielding, with Cavaco having an edge in power. The greatest difference, IIRC was Gordon was more well known, had been on the "circuit" much more, had more experience at SS in his HS career, while Cavaco was less experienced at SS, had a better frame for power, and was a less known "fast riser" prospect that several teams had their eye on. BOTH had the athleticism, speed and arm to stick at SS with time and coaching. BOTH had speed, Gordon a bit more, while, again, Cavaco offered a bigger frame and more power. This is all for reference sake. Every draft is different. But if you want a HS SS with real athleticism and potential, you usually have to grab them fairly early or you won't get them at all. Cavaco had a LOUSY 1st rookie ball season. Then, despite no 2020 ball at all, he was sent to A- ball at Ft Myers this year, which happens to be a notoriously tough hitters league. He actually lead Ft Myers in BA for most of the 1st half of the season before missing time with injury. Since he came back, he's been struggling. Now, before anyone dares accuse me of being a FO apologist or homer, let me clearly state I wasn't in favor of EITHER the Gordon OR Cavaco selections. (Let's also be very clear that each selection was made by a different FO). But again, to be equally clear, if you want to draft a young HS SS that has the POTENTIAL to STICK at that spot, that has the POTENTIAL to actually hit, run, hopefully provide some power as well, in other words a dangerous and well rounded athlete and potential offensive spark plug, you are going to have to draft them pretty early. In each case, there was a college player, or two, I liked better were I in charge. In each case, said player(s) were coming off down seasons and didn't necessarily posses all the tools that Gordon and Cavaco offered. I became a Gordon convert after his first couple of seasons. THEN he battled an intestinal problem that slowed him. And just when it looked like he had figured that out, he had an injury that robbed him of a promotion and gave Arraez his initial shot. After that, Gordon dealt with a severe case of covid that had him hospitalized, I believe, and caused a major weight loss he couldn't afford to have. Now, with the jury still out, with time and health, Gordon looks like an actual, useful ML utility player who is hitting a little, playing OK defense while also learning brand new spots, stealing some bases, and looking like he actually has some kind of career ahead of him, with the Twins or someone else. Perspective. But Cavaco, 1st round pick or not, has gone from HS to 1/2 a season of rookie ball, no baseball for a full year except his own workouts, and then sent to A ball where he held his own and lead his team in BA before his injury. He's following the right path. In fact, he's following the same path that Miller, our 2nd round pick this year, will surely follow; rookie ball to A- ball. The difference, besides being completely different individuals is, one will have continuity and one will have had a completely lost year. So while not a big fan or the original selection, and would rank him lower on the prospect lists despite athleticism/talent/projection, short and long version answers are YES, way too early to dismiss him as a prospect.

Makes sense. Just wanted to make sure I hadn't missed an injury tweak or something. Thanks!

To echo Topgun#22 and others, a well thought out and written arguement, but I am also going to disagree. Maybe not entirely, but I will nonetheless. First of all, signing someone like Stroman would be a quality veteran who is relatively young to help front the staff and have value for 3-5yrs. SOMEONE besides just a bunch of rookies are going to be needed to start 162G. There are a number of "decent" options such as Pineda, for example, on 1yr deal for $6-8M as a stopgap. The question, in my mind, is do you stop there and use the final 3 spots for the young arms, OR, can the FO pull off another solid trade as they did for Odorizzi and Maeda? If the FO can make such a trade, you still have the remaining 2 spots to be Ober, Ryan, Dobnak, and others. And we all know you are going to need more than 5 or 6 SP for a full season. And if your 1yr signing doesn't turn out and the young arms are looking good, you can release said veteran. Further, if said signed actually pitches well and you aren't in position to contend, or again someone young is ready, you have a mid-year trade option. There is sufficient $ to spend without breaking the bank to make these kind of moves. A 1yr SP does nothing to block young talent. And maybe some will disagree with me, but other than a decent, solid temp SS and a solid, quality RH 4th OF, I think this team is good position player wise. Now, the pen needs addressing, no doubt. But a single, long term contract, a hopeful trade acquisition and an inexpensive 1yr starter does NOT blow up the payroll or handcuff you. And you will have more than enough opportunity to throw the young arms throughout 162G schedule. Why wouldn't you try to compete in 2022?

Excited about this. Have we heard why it's taken so long to get him going?

My eye test tells me Polanco is definitely improved. Might be just settling in to 2B more, or his ankle being a little stiff early in the season or both. My eye also tells me Arraez has looked better. I think that's as simple as playing 3B more often and just getting comfortable. Sano frustrates me. He seems to field 1B cleanly and does a great job on scoops. He chases foul balls generally well. I've even seen him make some really good throws from 1B. He looks fine to even good at 1B and then just muffs a play or makes a ridiculous throw/play and I roll my eyes. Total Jekyl and Hyde. I think we're fine at catcher with some obvious growing pains from a couple young rookies that have played a lot. I don't know what to think about Simmons. He's still solid, but it does look like he's slipped. Is he disinterested? Is he taking his offensive struggles to the field? With average offense I'd take him back for a smaller deal. But it might just not be a good fit and time to find a different short term option.

Watched and listened to most all the game. Dobnak wasn't exactly perfect, far from it. But I was impressed. While he was high with his pitches in the 2nd and 3rd and was knocked around, he was also let down by his defense. But he also had a great 1st inning. He also had a fine 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th inning. His first game back. Call me encouraged!

Thank you. I thought he had to be protected and actually forgot he was ,left unprotected last year. All the more reason I'm confused why he isn't getting a shot now. I know the FO is sifting through "do we keep them or invite them back on milb deals" options, but time seems to be running out to get his feet wet. Unless they already know they are going to protect him and just let the other arms continue to audition. Hamilton is another arm I just don't get. We all know his tragic history. But he's been claimed, waived, claimed, waived, etc, over and again because everyone also knows his story. And yet, he also has yet to receive any sort of audition. Again, I can see a method taking place here. I'm just worried we might be missing a couple opportunities.

I'm tossing this out here as a discussion idea that I briefly touched on in my previous post. I think it's an interesting idea. Verlander is a future HOF SP. He's also coming off injury and a lost season. He will also be 39yo when the 2022 season begins. My hope and expectation is Stroman or Gausman on a multi-year deal to help anchor the staff. I can easily see Pineda, or similar, signed on something as short as a 1yr deal. And the various options have already been named. But instead of trading for a solid #2 option type....which I am not opposed to....what if the Twins did something a little crazy and took a shot for Verlander on 1yr deal? MAYBE a 1+1 deal. Despite an amazing career, age and injury are real factors. There is an obvious risk factor to signing him. But he and the Twins know one another quite well. Could he be looking for a short term deal to re-establish himself? Is he feeling the end is near and maybe agree to a 1+1? Either way, is he worth a serious shot? How much would it take? Would you sign him at 1yr at $15-18M with incentives up to $20M+? Or does Houston or someone else just take a huge plunge and just offer a guaranteed number that we don't want to touch on a 2 or 3yr deal? Thoughts?

I also have to confess that a lost 2020 milb season has me scratching my head once in a while when I read reports and look at box scores. And Shreve is one of those guys I "just don't anything about", unfortunately. Seems most of the entire 2019 draft class is sort of "lost" to many of us and we need to catch up. Thank you all for continuing reports and honors to get us caught up! Loved and laughed at "sure-fire future big leaguer Jovani Moran". When does he get his chance? I'm not sure if he has to be protected this offseason or not. Right now, I keep thinking either he doesn't have to be protected so they are playing that game, or, they don't want to "audition" him to the world and hoping to "stash" him away and keep fewer eyes on him. Either way, even with the pen doing so much better these days, I'm still confused he hasn't gotten a shot yet. What is up with Gore? He doesn't have a big, long frame, but be brings velocity and just keeps cranking out great performances after transitioning to the mound. IIRC he's yet to win a RP of the month award, but could end up winning the RP of the year award. I'm keeping my eye on him.

The power is obviously there. Major power! The walks tell me has a decent idea as to what he's doing and has a solid approach. That would indicate the BA and better contact are coming. The one thing few ever spoke about with all the changes in milb that has occupied my thoughts from time to time is Ft Myers being the low A team now. It's been well documented that the FSL is a tough place to hit. I've heard comments over the years that if you can hit there, you should be able to hit at the next level. But now, the "hard to hit in" league is an introduction level, or second level for the really young players. And I find myself wondering if this could be a hindrance or a future benefit to the Twins youngest prospects?

Two quick comments that I think are important before addressing the OP. 1] The Maeda injury/surgery could very easily change the 2022 outlook/plan for the FO and ownership. And nobody should be shocked by that or "down" on the Twins if that is the case. It's one thing to believe you have a team that can contend with a couple pitching additions, re-work and add to the pen, maybe add one good bench piece, and keep developing your system, particularly the young pitchers...VERSUS....now you lost a quality front end SP when you already had various additional moves to make. Any additions for competing in 2022 just became magnified and doubled in importance as well as difficulty with the loss of Maeda. 2] Dismissing the Buxton factor for a moment as there are too many moving parts right now....IF the FO/ownership STILL believes in themselves, their staff their roster, their young talent and prospects, etc, ENOUGH to want to contend in 2022...they could target their 2019 and "projected" 2020 payroll and shoot for a $150M-ish 2022 payroll. While there would be various raises here and there, with no Berrios and Maeda only making his minimum, the Twins could actually have somewhere between $50-60M to spend to reach that $150M-ish number, IF they want to and believe enough. Done with that. Let's address a couple key parts of the OP and "what could be". 1] I wouldn't dismiss Verlander or Thor out of the blue. Each coming off injury is a bit of a re-hab risk financially, Verlander more so due to age. Speculation has Thor getting a QO from the Mets which would eliminate him from virtually anyone. Verlander would be a gamble for sure, but could be a surprise 1yr or 1+1 for something fair. And he and the Twins are very familiar with one another. 2] Gausman, assuming reports that he wants to stay on the west aren't 100%, and Stroman make perfect sense. Stroman and the Twins have been tied together for a few years now. And each is young enough to warrant a longer term deal without messing with future payroll. It just feels Stroman is an ideal choice and probably my #1 target. 2] The FO pulled off a pair of amazing trades for Odorizzi and Maeda and gave up very little to do so. Can they do it again?? I don't see them wanting to dent the ML roster but the system is deep enough to HOPEFULLY pull off a similar type of move. It could be easier and smarter than just spending more $ for a 2nd FA. I agree with that thought. I'm just spitballing, but something like Rooker/Wallner and Sands/Vallimont/Gross/Varland/Gipson-Long to a rebuilding tezm for a controllable arm similar to Odorizzi with potential and control? Doesn't destroy the system but seems fair. Almost assuredly gave up less to get Oddo and Maeda. Two guys under control to front the rotation. [Still wouldn't be shocked for something crazy like a Verlander on a 1 or 1+1 deal) Can they pull a rabbit out of the hat again? 3] Pineda is, IMO, already part of 2022. And I'm OK with that. I wouldn't be surprised if there hasn't already been conversations and maybe gentleman agreement. The #3 spot SHOULD BE something short term for $ reasons and prospect reasons, I guess where we MIGHT differ is, where and how do we factor the TRADE arm vs the 2nd FA arm? I'm not so sure, Nick, that your list of Kluber, Cobb, etc, might not be the 1yr option vs the trade idea. But I don't think we differ very far here. 4 & 5] These go together as they should. Without breaking the bank or doing anything to remotely destroy the system, we've added at the very least 3 quality arms via trade and FA. Barring a HUGE surprise, we've added a quality veteran arm to lead the way, a solid and hopeful arm with a couple years of control, and a 1yr flier that could be anywhere from solid to great. And while there will be some $ spent, we don't break the bank and we don't do anything to hurt the "system". Ober is pretty much written in ink. Ted commented in his recent post that Ober may have top 3 potential. I don't doubt that. But in this scenario, we are talking 2022 and not potential. A fully healthy Dobnak is the probable #5 at this time. If you don't like that, or believe that, then go back and re-read what he did in 2020 before a hiccup, which most young starters go through. THEN we can continue the conversation about changes he made and how good he looked in ST before the FO/staff deferred to Happ and Shoemaker over him. And we could argue over and over again if the FO and staff made a mistake. Right or wrong, they had a pair of veteran starters who they believed could successfully fill the back end of the rotation. Dobnak was tossed in to a difficult situation of long man vs starter and had a hand injury that curtailed anything he could do. Amazing how injury and a tough road suddenly glosses over the potential someone has shown. Dobnak is going to have to be healthy and re-establish what he has shown in the past. No doubt! Because Ryan and others are chomping at his heels. And we have September for Dobber to "get right" and Ryan to show what he can be. And ST will allow everyone to show what they can do. But I'm guessing Dobber WILL show what he can do/be. And A RIGHT NOW, TODAY, I'd expect a healthy Dobnak to be the 5th SP. But Ryan has a real chance to change all of that. And the 4th and 5th spots should be open to this kind of competition. There is so much talent coming forward that you don't want to block anyone or blow up your payroll. But the Twins CAN easily afford one long term deal and a short term option. The question is the middle. Trade or FA, where is the middle ground to bring in a 3rd SP to make this team competitive for 2022?

While I don't believe a Verlander, Greinke, etc, will be a probable target, some of these FA pitchers are getting long in the tooth. Verlander is coming off a lost year due to injury. I wouldn't be shocked to see a 1yr deal or 1+1 for one of those veterans. Stroman or Gausman make a ton of sense and are affordable. The investment is needed. Money is available. The offense is there for support. Stroman seems the logical choice based on familiarity and past ties to Twins interest in him. Either is quality enough, proven enough, and young enough to warrant a multi-year deal. (And no, neither is an ACE, but either can lead your staff). The problem is the 2nd and 3rd spots. Absolutely the 4th and 5th spots belong to Ober, Dobnak, Ryan, Jax, etc, etc. But unless the FO pulls off another Odorizzi or Maeda type trade, which they might, you have to "guess/project" correctly for another couple veterans to fill the #2 and #3 spots. And you have to do so without breaking the bank or going long term because you need room for the young arms coming up. IMO, Pineda is already coming back as the #3 for a smaller deal, probably, than this year. I think he likes it here, wants to come back, and probably will be with a good health report card. And I'm OK with that, even knowing he might not go a full 30 GS. But what smart trade or signing brings in a solid #2 guy is the mystery/question to me. IF the Twins still want to contend, or at least be viable in 2022 despite the loss of Maeda, and are willing to just match the 2019 and 2020 pro-rated payroll, we're talking somewhere around $150M-ish payroll for 2022. That leaves them about $50-60M to spend based on current obligations and Berrios off the books and Maeda only earning his minimum due to injury. I have no clue if the "contending in 2022" mantra still exists at this point. But there is a good and exciting core of veteran and young talent position player wise. But we also need a couple quality BP arms...that don't have to break the bank...a SS, and hopefully an inexpensive RH 4th OF. I expect a ONE SP signing. I expect Pineda or similar signing. But they have to find a solid #2 option for the rotation. So one extended deal, one short deal, and an "I don't know" for the #2 rotation spot.

Would be awesome to get in a month or so in to stretch out, shake off rust, and ramp up for 2023. My father, tongue in cheek, commented that might mean he's available for the playoffs next year. LOL

Won't pretend to be any sort of medical expert here, but IIRC Hill's version of the surgery was a repair of the ligament and it was re-inforced by attaching to the bone, or something similar. If the "brace" part of the tweet is accurate, I'm going to guess something akin to a mesh was put in place for better stability and potentially faster healing.

I confess Woods Richardson slipped my mind. I stand by my initial thoughts above, but I have to change my vote for SWR as #1.

Interesting question! I agree it could be Lewis as he will likely have rookie status at the beginning of 2023. I also believe it could be Canterino as he also might have rookie status to begin 2023. 2020 and injuries are just a fact that has provided a delay for both. Both could/should find at least some ML time next season. But of the suggestions beyond those two, I think the tools of Urbina would make him #1. I say no to Petty because we don't even know if he's going to pitch this season or how much/little.

Guess I know what I'll be watching Wednesday night.