DocBauer

I think the point we need to clarify is Kepler as a "4th" OF. Nobody is stating he should be a true "4th OF" who only fills in. We, at least me, is really saying he'd be a 3/4 time starting OF who is also a solid CF to fill in for Buxton, thus allowing him to have the versatility of being a sort of 4th OF. In that context, his contract is absolutely not too much. What the Twins need is a RH OF bat that they can trust to be quality offensively and at least decent defensively. Now who is that guy? Could it be Rooker, Garlik or Refsnyder? I don't know. Maybe it's a small trade acquisition or a FA. And TWINFAN nails it when he states Kepler starting/playing in about 120 games provides good defense and could hit something like .260ish with 20+ HR and 75ish RBI. Picture a 2022 OF of Kirilloff splitting time at 1B, Larnach, Buxton, and Kepler with a 5th guy who is RH and can actually perform. (Yes, Arraez can figure in to LF as well). I'm really, really good with that despite that 5th guy being a mystery right now. Hypothetically, the new and improved Refsnyder would be perfect. Someone who could hit, have some pop/power and play solid/good defense. In this hypothetical, he could also be another CF option. Again, understand I'm using Refsnyder as a hypothetical example only. For him to be in the mix AT ALL he would need to get healthy soon and play out the rest of the season....with obvious regression involved....and begin to prove his new and improved self is real. But I'm just using him as an example for a multi-purpose RH hitting OF who could provide depth and flexibility and versatility. I would prefer this option, I think it's the smartest option.

Kaat wasn't available in my area because of the KC blackout so that was a bummer. I love listening to him. I don't know that the Maeda we had in 2020 is OUR Maeda, but what we have seen until today is also NOT the Maeda that pitched for the Dogers previously. Nor is the Maeda we've seen in 2021 the Maeda we saw in ST. So as far as I'm concerned, we still have a GOOD Maeda and he probably will be the rest of this season and next year. The bite is, like so much of this team/season, he wasn't himself the first half. Larnach and Kirilloff continue to impress. If you don't think Polanco and Arraez are good players and part of the future, then I'm not sure what you've been watching. Or are you only looking for the negative? I am NOT proclaiming Ober as the next great Twins pitcher. But the kid has put up video game numbers in the minors with IL stints and a FB that sat in the high 80's and low 90's. He worked very hard in the missed 2020 season to smooth out his mechanics to provide not only even better results, but to keep himself healthy. He reported once that he often didn't feel very good after starts at times. With his height and length, mechanics may be even more important. His hard work seems to have paid off as I've heard ZERO reports of injury and his velocity is up. Please drop the "extend him" arguements as his previous max IP was somewhere around 90. He missed ALL and everything in 2020 and only has a few GS in AAA before now. The Twins have been very aggressive with his promotion but are also being protective of his arm and development. They are brining him along with the idea of being part of 2022. And if you've actually watched him pitch, you can see something to be at least mildly excited about. Jax is a pitch to contact pitcher with some decent stuff, good control, who has some ceiling, but has only been a full time pitcher starting in 2019, maybe 2018.. So he has very little full milb season time until a little under half a year at AAA before being promoted early to the ML due to necessity. Around some BAD innings, he's had some good performances as well. Right now, today, with an extremely SSS size in the minors, I'd have to say his ceiling is a 4th or 5th SP who probably fits best as a middle RP/swing man. He was drafted as a flier with his AF commitment and is behind others of his age. Doesn't mean there isn't a usable arm there, just getting a late start. For those who blast the Twins for being slow to promote, I would tell you to look closer at Ober and re-consider Jax's situation. They haven't been slow with Winder either if you check things out. Drafted in 2018 and missing all of 2020, he's at AAA right now and should be with the Twins sometime the second half this season. You want Barnes to get a shot? Maybe he deserves one despite being a softer tossing pitch to contact type. And I'm NOT blasting that type of pitcher. They can be good to outstanding. But they have to have that SOMETHING to make it. Does Barnes? IDK. But he was drafted in 2017, one year before Winder. He has 2yrs of milb time and a brief stint in 2020 with the St Paul reserve team. He may get his shot but I'm just not really encouraged by his future outcome. Long way of saying the Twins aren't being slow in promoting good young arms, but 2020 and injuries have curtailed plans. And while I fully believe Winder and a HEALTHY (hopefully) Duran will be up the second half, nobody should fall asleep on Ober at this point. Don't dismiss the potential due to protecting him. They are doing so with a plan in place.

I've been a fan and supporter of his since day one and have remained hopeful of what we would see after 2019. I didn't exactly expect him to continue mash in the same way but thought we would get something close as the new normal for Max going forward. Alas, it just may not be. You can call me an apologist if you want, but I give Kepler, and about anyone else who had a poor 2020, a free pass. There were so many variables in such a weird and short season that calling 2020 an "aha" season just isn't right or fair. But no question his production has been a real bummer. And unexpected IMO. Part of the reason I just don't want to pencil Kirilloff in at 1B permanately is he's also a solid OF and I want flexibility in case Kepler is traded or his role changes. I'm OK with the right trade a good trade if one is available, I believe the entire FO and staff are going to be looking at changes from tweaking the roster to tweaking certain approaches to maybe tweaking the coaching staff. (Hitting instructors). Max is still a bounceback candidate and I sure wouldn't want to sell low on him. I agree that a good, solid RH bat to complement what we have on hand could be really smart and allow Kepler to be a part time starter and back up CF while still not being expensive. And maybe that's the best approach to take in order to maximize the roster and not sell low.

This season reminds me so much of 2018 when things just didn't go as planned/hoped/expected and the FO didn't blow things up, but they began a re-tool to get ready for 2019 and moved Pressly and Escobar for some really nice young talent. I wasn't crazy about either move, despite the return, because I felt strongly the Twins were in good position for 2019. IIRC correctly, Escobar was a pending FA but Pressly was not. So Pressly was the guy I really wanted to keep. And PLEASE, I am NOT trying to re-hash who won trades! My point, however, is that I feel almost the same way today as I did then. There is work to be done for 2022. But some "blow it up" option is not needed and rather ridiculous. Nor do i expect the FO to do so. Donaldson is not why this season crashed and burned. Despite a few unusual miscues, he's played his normally great defense and his numbers are very solid. And he's been largely healthy and dependable and in the lineup except for an early IL stint. But if they can move him, it frees up $ for other areas to address. The Twins made a big and exciting investment. It didn't work. But they took the shot. So now, maybe they can gain financial flexibility get at least a little something back, Donaldson goes to a contending team, and the Mets get some offense that they desperately need. Everyone wins. Considering the $ available to the Mets, and how determined and aggressive their ownership seems to be I'm not sure how concerned they are about a payroll ceiling. Might be a bit of posturing. Unless the Twins have to throw in a bunch of bank to make this happen, I'm OK with the trade. But with $ going out and little coming back then you have to wonder if the trade makes sense from the Twins perspective as well. Kirilloff, Larnach, Jeffers and possibly Gordon have arrived as part of the next wave. There remains a very good chance that with 3 months, left we still see Duran, Winder, Miranda, and maybe a couple pen arms who get some experience and get their feet wet for 2022. And sorry, just like the disappointing 2018, and changes needing to be made this roster is not devoid of talent. While only early rumors at this point, considering how this potential trade makes sense for both sides, I give these rumors at least semi-stable legs. It really makes a ton of sense if neither side has to give up too much, $ for the Twins and prosoects for the Mets.

Was really hoping to watch Ober with my dad tonight do what he has mostly done thus far, show potential while getting his feet wet in a rather aggressive promotion. Alas, it wasn't to be. And I'm not down on the kid. I still see something there as a back end starter with real potential. Just a young kid with a bad night. This season is about him growing, learning and adapting and getting ready for a possible future. The same can't be said about Shoemaker. By his own admission he hasn't pitched well. I don't like anyone to lose their job, but he's already guaranteed to be paid his $2M for this year. Thank you for trying. Thank you for taking one for the team tonight to save the pen for the next game. Best of luck in 2022 and the rest of your career and life. But it's time to move on. I mean, literally, the Twins could promote anyone from AAA or AA and get the same results as tonight and probably better. It's just time for both parties to go their separate ways. Give someone younger who at least has a CHANCE to be part of the future a shot/opportunity. Solid flier idea. It didn't work. Move on.

The single biggest problem facing the Twins NOW is injuries in the minors. 2020 set back player development for everyone, but has clearly affected the development of pitchers they were really hoping would be part of 2021 and beyond. So now you have to rebound and re- set for 2022. The good news is we are seeing the future of Larnach, Kirilloff and Jeffers and even Gordon getting ML time for the future. Hopefully the same for Gordon. Not to mention the development of Alcala as a BP piece and Ober as a possible end of the rotation option. (He's looked good but is being protected for obvious reasons). Re-tooling on the fly has gone out the window, unfortunately. (Which was the original plan). But we are still seeing some exciting things between the blurred lines of wins and loses in a lost season. Hopefully, we are going to see Winder and Duran along with a couple pen options. Miranda will also see some ML time, but unless I'm mistaken, MLB in their short sighted wisdom is still limiting late season promotions. The difference between 2017 and now is the core players were just being established. Unfortunately, the 2021 Twins are more "out of it " compared to 2017. Don't give up! But be real. If you can get ANYTHING for a couple expiring contracts then do so. At some point, you have to just say you have a losing season. But it doesn't have to be a LOST season. Remember the kids already here and the kids pushing the envelope for tomorrow. Boston, for example, was supposed to be trash this year. Why can't we continue to play and audition our talented prospects and promote a few more and just make a few smart moves offseason to get ready for 2022? Even with losses we all expect, there's still a lot to like on this roster.

Just super happy to see all the promotions! Especially Winder and Miranda! Now, we need to get a couple more of those Wichita bullpen arms up to St Paul. After 2 poor years with Tampa at AA, I can see maybe being a little cautious with Palacios, still only 24yo old. But isn't it about time to see him at AAA? Disappointed in Sammons thus far, but slightly surprised to see him go back to Wichita. It seemed he was throwing at least as well if not better with the Saints than he was with the Surge. But then again, Schulfer and a healthy Sands are probably more ready for AAA at this point. Unless I am missing something, despite a rash of injuries to our top rotation prospects, isn't Enlow the only one out for the year? Even if they all miss a few weeks, really, really hoping Duran, Sands, Canterino and Rijo are only "dinged" and still get a couple mkre months of 2021 development. Really important to be careful but equally important they get real time this year along with Balazovic and Vallimont to move forward. Predicting now Winder makes his ML debut before the season is done. Duran should as well as long as he's healthy in a couple weeks. Results might not matter as much as just getting the experience and getting their feet wet. Agree I'd really like an update on Marco Raya but also Alerick Soularie. Any updates Seth? Honestly, Raya is the most intriguing 2020 draftee to me.

The Twins FO doesn't need me to defend them. And I won't. But hindsight 20/20 is very easy to blame. The Twins spent a couple roster spots on "pitching help" for the 2021 season for a team that was supposed to contend and they wanted depth. Smart! They left Badoo off the 40 man roster,young and coming off missed time. Who honestly expected him to be drafted and kept and actually perform well? Go buy a lottery ticket if you can say yes. I liked Wade a lot. I wanted to keep him. I thought be brought some potential and skill set the Twins were lacking. But when I had to compare a more experienced LH OF with better numbers and more experience, I had to go with Cave when the trade was made, Anderson I have no comment on at this time, sorry, without digging in to the ML and milb rosters 2yrs ago. I HATED losing a low level, talented prospect like Badoo. I'm OK losing a 4th OF prospect. I'm OK losing a journeyman RP, except, young enough and stats enough to tell me the FO didn't look close enough and probably protected someone not as good. Very few teams would have protected Baddoo, we just got screwed on that one. Period! But with a serious 40 man crunch coming forward, they are going to have to make 5-7 really tough choices. Is that a bad thing? It means the Twins have enough young talent to allow for such tough choices. Let's hope we're smart enough to make the RIGHT choices!

Honestly, not sure commentening now vs waiting until this series makes sense. And I have to agree with Roger that the draft has snuck up on us and it's always so hard to project the ML draft. Harder than any other sport. I still feel the baseball draft is more the BPA than any sport. That being saidm i think tbe FO has been somewhat unfairly criticized for their draft approach since being placed in charge. It's easy to say we are overloaded with corner power bats. But would you want to not have Kirilloff and Larnach right now? How about Wallner in a couple years to replace Kepler? They HAVE drafted infielders. A few in 2018 and a bunch in 2019. Steer, Howard, Julien, Cavaco, and Mack. I'm sure I've missed one or two. While it's true they haven't drafted a ton of pitchers early they have drafted a number of pitchers, especially college pitchers. Canterino and Sands are the highest profile draftees to be sure, and they each look pretty solid early in their careers. And just not going list player after player, but there are some interesting arms with solid results so far drafted in 2018-19. Most of whom have questions, obviously, from only having a season to a season and a half at most professionally thus far. My surprise has been the short 2020 draft when supposedly there was real depth for pitching available and we chose ONE. Now Raya, 4th round HS selection, might be my favorite choice they made. No offense to the other choices or their potential, but did they get "too cute" with their selections? Did they think they were sneaking in some good position players while everyone was looking too hard at pitching and get a few steals? Maybe. Jeffers wasn't supposed to be picked where he was and look how that's turned out so far. But unless quality pitching just isn't there when the Twins select, I really hope they add a couple upside arms early in this draft. There IS real depth of talent in the system right now. Unfortunately, a missed season and a rash of injury is setting back their combined development by a season or more right now. And you should never ignore available talent. But I'm really hoping for a couple good college arms with projection who could add the the system and create even better depth than we have currently. You need numbers to find your future rotation, but you also need guys who could transition to the pen as well.

Lots of great points and perspectives here. I am deliberately staying away from the service time debate a couple years ago, despite my own thoughts, as I really don't think it is a factor. What IS a factor is the injuries and the loss of availability in his career. And it can't be ignored by the Twins OR Buxton. He and his representation are fully aware of injuries and missed time. And while it's possible Byron and his reps could posture and speculate what he's worth when healthy and all the numbers he produces when in the lineup and want to "bet" on future health, they also understand reality. You can bet on that even if they won't want to admit it. Levi is also correct to point out that with few exceptions, the 5+ year signings have disappeared. And teams may drool over the potential of Buxton and dream of having him in their lineup and WANT to bank on his being healthy going forward, but they also understand the reality and potential gamble. None of this is to demean Byron's ability, talent impact or potential impact. I'm just talking reality that can't be ignored by either side. While virtually impossible to accurately do, you almost have to try and look at this from Buxton's perspective. At some point, being one of the very best prospects in all of baseball, hard working and convinced of his talent and future he probably dreamed of making over $200M in his career. But life slaps you upside the head at times and you deal with multiple injuries, ONE season so far when you've played more than 92 games, a shift in the market, plus covid having at least some additional financial impact on the game, and you're 27yo and a father and you want security and as much $ as you can despite everything that has happened and changed. So the Twinsm in theory, offer you something like 5yrs and $100M guaranteed with incentives that could be as much as an additional $5M per year. Do you turn that down? Betting on yourself is one thing, but turning down $100M plus guaranteed has to be tantalizing to say the least. If you ARE wanting to bet on yourself then you see that extra $25M just sitting there for you and you would be coming off your age 32 season with the ability to sign another deal as a corner OF, probably, who might even DH at some point. If he wants to bet on himself to the degree where he thinks someone would offer him 5yrs at a guaranteed $150M, I think the Twins may have to pass. There is just too much risk to invest in. But if Buck looks at his past and his future with an honest and realistic eye, if he believes in himself, if he enjoys playing in Target Field, if he enjoys being a Twin and the past two seasons and what still looks like a good future, he would have be looking at a potential $125M GUARANTEED with future earnings available. He seems like a good guy and a smart guy. I could absolutely see him accepting a deal like that. Life changing money for his entire family he can bank on. I could be WAY OFF! But I don't think this kind of offer is something he would just dismiss. Now, I'm also on board with Berrios for a 5yr $90-100M extension as well, but that's a different topic.

#1] Barnes has been promoted more aggressively than I ever expected. I just can't believe this is convenience simply because they needed a AAA arm. Not NOW, but you have to consider giving him a shot before the year is done. Maybe Jax as well. There will be holes and opportunity. #2] Winder is just about ready for a AAA stretch promotion and a late season audition. Don't hold him back. Let him get his feet wet, much like Ober, and take some lumps if necessary, and get him ready for 2022. Hopefully the same for Duran if his injury is mild. Really hoping Sands will be OK and get at least a 2nd half at AAA. There are a trio of RP at Wichita that need to move up, at least after the draft, and get AAA work with the idea of at least progressing. #3] Play Gordon, and play him at SS as well. You see enough in him to protect/keep him. SSS notwithstanding, you are seeing potential and ability at this point, worthy of keeping him on the 26 man roster. Athletically, he would seem to have the ability to play SS. He was drafted as a SS. He has continued to play SS in the minors as well as ST just this year. He supposedly doesn't have the arm to be a pure SS. And yet, he continues to play SS in the minors and ST. Could an offseason of gaining his weight and strength back help his arm as well as his bat? I fully appreciate the idea of a contending team, or even a team shooting for .500 plus thinking Polanco is the 2nd best SS option. But aren't we now coming in to the evaluation and development phase for the rest of the year? How can you possibly play him at SS at AAA and ST, and then believe in his athleticism enough to transition him to CF with ONLY practice time and NOT also play him at SS to see what you have? I am NOT saying I believe Gordon is a starting ML SS. But I believe the ability is there to be at least a viable backup option there. If not, if he truly stinks, then why has he been playing the position in the first place the past few years? Let the kid play 2B/SS/CF and see what you have. This is the perfect time to see who he is and might be. If you don't, NOW I begin to wonder what the FO and coaching staff are thinking.

Sticking only to the OP.... 1] Agreed it's way too soon to speculate but I appreciate John's efforts with the trade deadline comingup. 2] Part of the reason it's too early is 2021 revenue is impossible to determine at this point. And I don't have current projections and goodness knows what the Twins are speculating only 1/3 of the season gone. And yes, it appears the Twins are done from a competitive standpoint this season. But with better health and better overall play this team may be able to reach .500. Further, with 100% capacity and fans just wanting to do to the park after not being able to in 2020 has to have some affect, not to mention a team featuring a group of talented youngsters they may want to see. So this is going to be fluid. However....and I hate to reference John's and Aaron's podcast but I need to....I believe the Twins will be taking a "re-load" view for 2022 and not a "re-build". And I've stated this myself as well previously. The difficult part of this is the delayed and shortened milb season and now some injuries and potential set-backs that affect the "re-tooling on the fly" aspect that the FO clearly had in mind. Allowing for at least decent gate receipts, the debuts of some promising prosoects, and a few more that will inevitably follow, and a roster that is by no means devoid of talent, a re-tool seems in order. So with all of that being said, I believe the FO/ownership will push the 2022 payroll back up in to the $140-145M payroll area. That gives them about $45+M to spend barring trade surprises. Had this team just done what was expected of them, I could have argued higher, but that's not what happened. I say pending surprises because I just don't see Donaldson or Sano moving unless the Twins kick in substantial $, especially in the case of Donaldson. And at that point, I don't know that you've really gained enough value and flexibility to even make a move worthwhile. And it's not like Donaldson, in particular, is a bad player. I am not going to break down an entire roster at this point, it would be a sloppy back of the napkin to be sure. But I just don't see a 41yo Cruz back. But I do see Robles back to combine with Rogers, Duffey and Alcala to allow for the nucleus of a solid pen. And I'd keep Garver as a backup catcher and 1B who also DH a lot to keep him in the lineup almost daily. Larnach and Kirilloff are here to stay and will only get better. Gordon is getting a long and deserved look as part of the 2022 roster as a utility player. Rooker still has a shot. Refsnyder MIGHT have changed his approach enough to be a viable RH bench ootion who could fill in a lot of places. I'm sure not counting on he and Gordon, but we have 2/3 of a season to see if they could be real bench options for next season. ASSUMING for just a moment that either Berrios and/or Buxton were signed to extensions, they might eat up part of the $45M I'm saying the Twins have to spend. But most of their $ would be for 2023 and beyond. Unless there is another Odorizzi/Maeda trade out there, the FO will need to spend a legitimate $14-18M on a SP. The $45M starts to be whittled down rather quickly, but there's still room, IMO, for an OF depth piece and a couple RP arms to add to the nucleus in place and the "other" arms currently on hand. I'm confused/concerned about an ever day SS, but maybe Simmons again or someone like a Galvis, though I'm not sure what he signed for last off-season. Just spitballing. You have to be smart. You have to see what the remaining 2/3 of the season brings you if course. Do Ober and Dobnak continue to advance and look like options? Is Duran OK and finishes the season strong? How about Winder, Sands and Balazovic finishing strong? Is Barnes at least a solid option? (He's surprised me in performance and advancement thus far). Too many variables! But I'm sticking with "re-tool" and about $45M to spend.

Thank you for a quality post and kind words. Of course, it seems we're mostly on the same page too, LOL. I also don't want "dumpster dives" for the rotation, though I really don't like that term. I have ZERO inside information as to the workings of the FO. But I like to think I'm pretty intelligent. (Some would agree...some might argue, lol). To me the pitching staff was put together in a very intelligent way, despite the results. We all have to remember that Happ has been pretty good for his career and was coming off a very solid 2020 despite being a LH in Yankees stadium. He was, it appeared, a smart 1yr replacement for Odorizzi to compete for the 3rd/4th spot. Shoemaker was a cheap flier 5th spot arm who has been good/very good when healthy. Clearly, the FO saw depth options available in a handful of guys while buying more time for Duran, Balazovic, Winder, Sands, Canterino and others. Not a bad plan/idea. In fact, though it's hard to remember when wearing glasses colored with disappointment hues, Happ looked pretty good early. There was even a little optimism from Shoemaker initially. But a funny thing happened on the way to the Forum. The old nursery rhyme talks about the wheels on the bus going "round and round". Well that bus, carrying our 2021 Twins, hit a number of post-winter potholes the size of sinks and bathtubs to not only flatten a few tires but also break an axel. I'm pretty sure there's even a tire down in the ditch somewhere. And I'm ONLY talking about the pitching right now. Totally agree Dobnak is a SP and needs to be left in the rotation to develop and work. What's he going to do, be worse than Happ or Shoemaker? I hate but understand protecting Ober while also making sure he gets a regular turn and stretches out and builds himself up. Just being 100% honest, he's been far better and shown far more potential than I ever thought. We still have 2/3 of a season to play and work toward. 500 and 2022. But for those who want the Twins to jump-start careers, just remember the milb season started a month later than normal. They have already been very aggressive with Ober. As bad luck would have it, both Duran and Balazovic began their seasons late due to nagging but limited injury. Just give them a little time. Again, we have 2/3 of the season to play and audition yet. And Winder will be at St Paul very soon. He may be joined by Sands. I think the Twins will sign a quality FA SP next off-season or pull off a Madea/Odorizzi type of trade and HOPEFULLY feel good about the development of both Ober and Dobber the rest of the season. And whether 40 man adds or non-roster invites, they are going to have another 4-6 live/decent/good arms from the system to compete. And at least a couple of those arms should at least get their feet wet before this season is done. I firmly believe this team is in re-tool mode and not break down and re-build mode. The talent on hand tells me this. Just sucks the original plan of re-tooling on the fly turned in to a massive bus accident where even AAA is shaking their heads. Colome is probably done no matter what happens. But he was signed for a very good reason, and earned an option year for the same. But even if he suddenly finds himself again...and their have been recent glimpses...sometimes you have to move on for the sake of doing so. Rogers has found himself again, Duffey is looking more like his old self. We are seeing Alcala grow. Again, is a low level prospect better than keeping Robles? There is at least a foundation to build on with the pen. A few weeks ago, we weren't so sure. Pitching wise, I don't think we need a new bus, I think we need repairs and a few new tires to keep those wheels going "round and round" for next year. Fortunately, we have some new tread to try out over the next few months.

Yes to trading Happ, Shoemaker and probably Colome, assuming you can get anything for them. (I say probably on Colome as he's been unusually poor but is showing life as of late. Can he build trade value yet?) I don't WANT to trade Cruz but he may have value to a handful of contending teams and couple bring a decent A level prospect or a AA level pitcher with a live arm transitioning to the pen. IMO, nobody will want Donaldson, not because he isn't z fine player, but because of the contract. And by the Twins kick in enough $ to make a trade palatable, I'm not sure the return is better than keeping him. He's actually, probably, more tradeable in 2023 with some cash to cover a potential 2024 buyout. Sano, IMO is a more likely enticement to teams that woukd be willing to gamble on his production and age, 29yo in July, and some upside knowing how good he can be. But like Donaldson, are the Twins better off then just keeping him? Or do they feel enough roster crunch and want to free up some $ for 2022? Pineda might actually bring back a decent A or AA prospect of similar nature as Cruz, but only if he gets healthy again. Will probably need a SS for 2022. There will be options in the off-season to consider, including bringing back Simmons. If you could get something for him now, take it. Personally, I think re-signing the 30yo Robles for next season will bring greater value than whatever they might acquire via trade. In a year where everything that could go wrong and seemingly has gone wrong, the Twins, unfortunately, don't really have many/any valuable trade assets unless they begin to gut the roster. And even if they wanted to do that, I would expect it to take place in the off-season to allow for better evaluation of the roster and the system. Plus, we still have 2/3 of the season to play. I don't see a gut of the team at this point, if at all. I know it's an unpopular position with a lot of people, but considering the total aberration that I feel this season is, I'm pretty much in favor of bringing back anyone not on a 1yr deal while continuing to play the prospects on the roster right now, and continue 2nd half promotions to AAA for a number of players and auditions for at least a handful of pitchers once Happ, Shoemaker and potentially others are gone. THEN we consider a couple keybp FA signings and maybe a trade or two if it makes sense.

"Paging Mr. Serling, Mr. Rod Serling...you're wanted in the Twlight Room." The Twins have won 3 In a row and have generally been playing much better the past few weeks, even with a few bad losses. They're also get healthy again. Now, it's far too late for any 2/3 of a season "back in contention" miracle, but what a possible .500 finish while building confidence and momentum for 2022? And how about continuing to get experience for Jefffers, Rotvedt, Kirilloff, Larnach, Gordon, Alcala, Dobber, Ober and anyone else we haven't seen yet but will? Three quick thoughts: 1] Despite some HR issues, including the one he gave up Friday night, Alcala is gaining trust and growing up right in front of us as a legitimate BP option. 2] I think you are either a believer in Dobnak that he can be a reliable back of the rotation bulldog who will always take the ball every 5th day and give you a solid chance...eventually...OR, you just aren't a fan. Service time-wise, I believe he just lost rookie status. But he still only has around 120IP in his young career and has shown stretches/games of being quite good. He gets a little more consistent I like him at the back of the rotation. 3] Except for 2020 and a few appearances early this year, Robles has been a fine RP. And he's still 30yo until August 13th. What is his future worth to the Twins? Is he more valuable being traded for an A level prospect or re-signed for 2022? Personally, I'm in favor of keeping him for next season. FINAL NOTE: I have really enjoyed listening to Perkins in the booth the past couple of games and would enjoy hearing him more.

My only problem was choosing to give up on Anderson so soon. I liked a lot of things about Wade and if he was a little better in CF and RH I might have been upset about the trade. But really, with Kirilloff and Larnach joining the ML club now, where would Wade have fit? I just think the 40 man roster game hasn't been played nearly as well as it's been played before and should have found some way to keep Anderson for at least the rest of the season. It does seem like the Hamilton kid has supplanted him in the Twins mind.

A good list and very little arguement. I would bump Canterino up a spot or two and drop Sabato a spot or two. Nothing against Sabato, who I think hcould be dangerous, but I want to see a little more production and I think being a 1B/DH knocks him down slightly at this early point. Wondering, considering youth and past rankings, where would you place Javier now that he's healthy and looking like he might finally be growing in to the productive player everyone has always dreamed of?

Look, Maeda is NOT himself right now. He may or may not be the pitcher we saw in 2020. But career numbers and his ST performance and injury would tell you he's going to rebound. Berrios has been a rock, despite some ups and downs. For the 100th time, he's still 27yo plus and is a 2 time All Star. Again, for the 100th time, he and the Twins have changed his work out routine to allow for a full season of endurance and performance. And we haven't seen the results yet after the weird season that 2020 was. He may or may not ever achieve the ACE status that so many wish for. Me included. But despite some very good prospects rising, you can't ignore what you already have. If the Twins don't give him a 4 or 5yr deal for something close to $18-20 per they are being stupid. Someone else will.

A good post. And let me say I have a lot of belief/faith in our FO. And previously, they have found some arms that have helped make a difference in the pen previously. Guys who were let go by other organizations and done well here, even for a short run. They've also done a good job developing arms on hand....no pun intended. But I do believe you can end up trapping yourself from previous results/accomplishments in to being "too cute" in your roster construction. Or as you put it, believing too much sometimes that you're the smartest person in the room. Look, the honest truth is that for every journeyman "prosoect" the Twins let go, we could probably show an equal signing of someone let go by someone else. And NO FO EVER hits on alk moves. You hope they do so 70-80% of the time. But when you have a plan....like 2021....that seems smart but goes astray, you have to re-evaluate what you've done. For a team that believes it is a contender, you simply can't believe you can just rely and promote milb BP arms and expect them to perform in outstanding fashion. And you don't have to make a crazy contract move like the Dirty Sox did with Hendricks. What you CAN DO in a lost season is talk to your managers, coaches and scouts and promote and audition certain arms that show real potential to see if they can stick or be ready at some point in 2022. But we can't forget that there only a certain number of milb RP who make and succeed at the ML level as high quality/leverage relievers. Some do. Most were SP who adapted to the pen to excel. Doesn't mean you shouldn't look at high potential arms in your system.

These topics are really off topic and probably need a different thread...and will probably get one at some point...but the discussion is so interesting that I can't help address it. Lol Winder is ahead of Balazovic right now due to their individual starts to the season. Winder will be up at AAA fairly soon and could join Duran in August/September. Sands is more of a 2022 mid to late season or depth option, IMO. By that time, and no insult to Sands, Balazovic and Canterino could easily surpass him for "next guy up". The SS situation is VERY interesting. ASSUMING the Twins find a fill-in SS for 2022, POTENTIALLY there is room for all of Polanco, Arraez and Gordon on the ML roster depending on how it's built. In other words, Polanco can backup SS, MAYBE Gordon also can but he needs a chance to show what he can do. He actually has a healthy off-season, maybe he re-gains weight/strength and his arm may even improve, and he doesn't stink at SS and CF, we MIGHT suddenly have a former top prospect who develops in to a useful utility player. And no reason to re-address the value and usage of Arraez yet again. On the milb side of this discussion, we all realize Lewis isn't going to be ready in 2022 barring some miracle or maybe a late season shot. And to be fair, the delayed milb season hasn't even reached the half way point yet, but assuming/hoping Palocious and Javier continue to perform, BOTH HAVE to be promoted mid-season. To those who might have forgotten, Palacious brought us Odorizzi but couldn't hit in 2yrs at AA and was cut by the Rays and re-signed by the Twins, he's only 24yo just might be ready for AAA in a few more weeks. Could he be a "late" developing player at only 24 who could be a factor? And we all know Javier's story so no need to go there. But the obvious secondary move is to give him half a season at AA. Right now, he's one of the best milb stories in a season where the ML team is disappointing but the system is offering some good feelings. It never used to be that the promotion of milb RP brought attention, much less hope. But since the game has changed so much, the bullpen has become far more key to the fortunes of the parent club. So when we look at the current state of affairs at the ML level, the ideas of Anderson, Hamilton, Cano, Moran, Mason, and Neff....who you mentioned....getting promoted shouldn't be easily dismissed. Really stinks Colina may be out for the season because he might already be up.

You bring up some interesting points to consider. 1] I thought Colome was a quality signing at the time, and as you mention, he was coming off 5 fine seasons, including his best season ever. Is he toast at 32yo? Maybe. But he's never been about velocity. Considering he has ZERO trade value, you either need to DFA him at some point to audition someone else, OR....and I can't believe I'm saying this....you need to see if he can find himself again the rest of the season and maybe warrant a look-see for 2022 if he looks like his old self. (I'd probably dump him and audition other arms at some point]. 2] Conversely, I thought the Robles signing was a possible key addition for this year coming off a terrible 2020. And he's been, largely, quite good. So what is his trade value vs keeping him and maybe re-signing him to a 1yr deal? And I'm not saying they should trade him or keep him, just that there are things here to consider. (I think he's a possible re-sign on a 1yr). 3] The "loss" of giving up on Littell too soon...which I think they did...may not have any long lasting implications. But it does make me reflect on the future of Stashak. While not possessing a long history of success, he was good in 2019/2020 so does he get dumped this off-season vs a similar growth bounce back in 2021? Just a few things to consider.

There may be reasons that we will probably never know. But this is one case where I think the FO just blew it. He was relatively young, had some milb success and then a great 2019 in the pen. To me, you discount almost everything negative that happened to a player in 2020. Then you add the elbow issue. You keep a guy like that for a hoped/expected rebound unless you thought his elbow was toast for some reason. I don't expect the FO to be be perfect and hit all the time. But they blew this one.

All I know is, in a lost season, for a brilliant moment, the Twins won in brilliant fashion. And that's why we love baseball so much. Those moments. Nobody gave up, or has given up. Now, focus on the remainder of 2021 and get ready for 2022.

You left out Aggie as a converted SP who turned in to an outstanding RP. I am pleased the staff is tossing Alcala out tbere in high leverage situations. I mean, really, at this point what do You have to do other than develop and get ready for next year? Rogers is looking better. Duffey is looking like his "old self". Robles is either a trade candidate for a marginal prospect or someone you would bring back because of stuff and career numbers. Alcala's velocity and slider look REAL! But YES, he needs something else despite IP and experience. We forget sometimes what a "change" is. Does he need a straight '"change up" or a split pitch or a cutter or a "slurve" variation, Maybe he needs to talk with Duffey more. Maybe this is where Johnson starts to re-earn his reputation . Let's get Alcala ramped up for the future even if there are some growing pains.

Polanco, similar but different move to 2B is much like Mauer's initial move to 1B, it takes time to adjust. He has flashed real ability at the position but it still takes time to settle in. He needs time, he's already flashed. Simmons was a smart signing at the time. His offensive numbers, lest we forget, improved the past few seasons. And again, less we forget, were well above average or his career numbers when the season started. Of course, regression was in order. But coming off his IL time, his offense has been at an All time low and I'm not sure the defense has been quite the same. Has he lost interest? Or is he just struggling? I still like the plan of Polanco being a 2B with Arraez being a versatile utility player. But it does kill me amongst everything that has gone wrong in 2021m that Galvis with the Orioles looks like he could have been the better signing. (Sigh) I ABSOLUTELY believe Lewis has everything needed to be a quality ML SS with premium offense and at least decent if not good defense. But we can't deny he's at least a year away now due to injury. I could be WAY WRONG, but it just feels like Simmons isn't a "fit". As if he and the Twins just don't mesh well on a "personality" level. And maybe it's just a bad year for everyone. The Twins need a SS for 2022 and maybe Simmons just loves being here and will re-sign. But I'm starting to think he might need to move on and the Twins need to find another option for next year. If he's actually happy here, then keep him. Use your payroll for other spots. Plug him in at SS for one more year and worry about the rest of the roster. Even with diminishing skills he's still a solid SS. Otherwise, get what you can and let's see what happens in the off-season.