DocBauer

I was never down on him when he slumped. He's had a very, very odd career if you step back and really look at it. He was signed as a glove first SS with a questionable bat. And then the bat developed so well he was often slid down to the 3 spot on his milb team. And then the Twins, desperate for infield help, brought him up to the ML way too early and burned an early option while also bouncing him around the infield instead of being allowed to concentrate on SS. Molitor believed he could play SS and put him out there. And let's face it, all of us have seen far worse SS at the ML level than Polanco. And he mashed. Then he had a personal tragedy that really affected him. Then he had a suspension due to a masking agent and some wanted to say "see he's been juicing". But then again, he comes back and shows what he can do in a big way. THEN, he has not ONE, but TWO ankle surgeries! His 2020 was miserable defensively, but a bad ankle also effected his defense surely. But he was a gamer and was in the field day after day. He started slow this season still recovering, still getting his stance and approach and timing down. He has played a fine 2B, overall, and shows real potential at the spot. He's gotten better and better. His bat has come alive after a slow start. He is a talented, versatile, and dangerous hitter. And he is absolutely one of the best players in this team. And he is young enough to believe he is part of the future. If I wasn't feeling a bit tired and lazy I'd copy and paste my entire comment to the OP about Polanco being a future leader for the franchise. Forgive me if I find the time to do so.

I pride myself on my milb system knowledge, so I feel better that I shouldn't know much about Manoah. I can't wait to see Moran in a Twins uniform soon. He's an arm we've read about, known about for some time, and have been waiting on. Some teams have a hard time finding a single quality LHRP for their pen. There is a real chance the Twins will be offer up THREE in their pen with Rogers, Thielbar, Thorpe, Smeltzer?, Vasquez?, and Moran as alternates. Jordan Gore interests me. He's 27yo and not big. But he seems to have velocity and has made a pretty easy transition from position player to RP. I don't think he's a top pen prospect by any means, but RP are "made" and not usually drafted and developed. There are a lot of arms in the system for him to pass to get a shot. But I just wonder if he might surprise. He's an interesting story at least.

Only to clarify my point...and not win some debate...I absolutely agree that Ober, and any SP for that matter, simply must learn to throw 5+ innings. The reason I like the plan for Ober to throw 4 and 5 innings only, for now, is two fold: 1] Two successful turns through the lineup allows him to save his arm to hopefully finish the season, refine his stuff and learn and grow, while having a little less pressure initially by not having to face too many batters a third time. Hoping this breeds growing confidence. 2] The Twins will, hopefully, be auditioning some pen arms the last 2 months. I want them to have opportunity. Also, really hoping they either go to a 6 man rotation, or do some piggybacking here and there to get some of their young starters a chance to gain experience and get their feet wet. Just my thoughts, not saying I'm right. And I continue to be frustrated about the limitations for September call ups. Teams like the Twins need to have a larger roster in order to get a number of guys an opportunity to gain experience or show they may be a viable option for 2022.

Except, he spent 2020 doing just that. He worked really hard on his motion/delivery to alleviate the aches and pains he felt previously after pitching. No reports this season of any recurring issues. And his velocity has jumped from high 80's to touching low 90's to being a consistent 92-94 with amazing extension and hiding. For him, now, it's all about working on secondary stuff and building up his arm for IP. Funny how we are so desperate for internal development for SP but we forget how bad Gibson and Berrios looked initially. And Ober, just the 1st rotational piece to reach the majors, is such a question mark when his initial numbers are better than either of them. Instant gratification happens so seldom. I predict nothing for Ober, at this point, other than just maybe being a solid back end option. Just surprised how few look at what he's done thus far and dismiss him.

I liked about every comment here because right or wrong the opinions are just smart! I applaud Shoemaker for being open and honest and taking at least some responsibility for not performing. He should. But just being a realist, not every single pitcher, or player, "fits" with an organization. We've seen it time and time again. It's reality. The Twins have COMPLETELY revamped their milb system when it comes to treating pitchers and players as individuals and tailoring their developmental approach. And we've heard from current players and previous players in regard to the massive change within the system. But I have NO PROBLEM saying Rocco, Johnson, scouts and the FO may have just made a mistake on a guy. They THOUGHT they had a really good plan for an experienced back end SP that would work. Sorry, s**t happens and you aren't always right. But then again, as Shoe states, he could have said no. And he has the right to also shake off signs. And shouldn't he be doing well at AAA as a healthy and experienced pitcher? But have to admit I'm curious why he took the milb assignment instead of going elsewhere. Makes little sense to me unless NOBODY was knocking on his door. IF the Twins think think this was bad communication and a mistake that can be rectified, I have no problem. IF Shoemaker really likes the organization, no problem. We need a couple veteran SP for 2022, which MIGHT include Pineda. But could Shoe, previously quality in his career when healthy, be an option? Please. Shoemaker is trying to get a contract for 2022 and not really blaming anyone because he doesn't want to rock the boat. He's at AAA FOR THE MOMENT, because he's a good guy and provides IP. He's probably gone a week from now due to additions and promotions. Over and done, it was a really smart flier for a talented but frequently injured SP that just didn't fit.

I'm just keeping it real here. Despite his video game numbers in milb I was surprised when the Twins added him to the 40 man. I saw numbers that couldn't possibly be sustained and saw Aaron Slegers part 2 in Ober. And I was confused he didn't go to the instructs following 2020 if they liked him enough to protect him. (Totally understood not being in St Paul last year as he wasn't seen as a depth piece for a contending team,) And I'm going to argue against Cody's comment about his stuff. Great control, a solid change and slider is something to work with. Velocity was definitely an issue, despite his vast extension and ability to hide the ball creating extra, perceived velocity. But again, I had serious doubts. And the injuries and reports he often didn't feel good after some starts definitely concerned me. BUT, some funny things happened on the way to Target Field, to badly paraphrase an old idiom. The tall and lanky Ober spent 2020 working on his mechanics. (Might have grown more in to his body as well). Thus far, we have had ZERO reports about physical issues with his body due to a more fluid delivery and better mechanics. Those changes have seen a consistent 4-6 MPH uptick in his velocity. He had 14 games in 2019, 13 GS, only 4 at AA, and his numbers were, again, outstanding. He jumped to AAA to begin 2021 and started only FOUR games tbere before being promoted. And the FO is never aggressive? I've seen all of or parts of most of his starts this season. I've seen a FB with movement that plays and real potential with his slider and other pitches despite needing some work. I recall his 1st start, which I believe was 4R in 4IP with some K's, and Smalley stating it was maybe the best 4R 4IP he had seen, meaning potential. He is a ROOKIE SP who missed 2020 and barely played at AA before making his MLB debut. He has a 1.27 WHIP right now and is averaging over a K per IP. Just how much better could he be doing at this point? I can understand debates out his IP. Is it better to extend him, build his arm up and then shut him down? Or is it better to be gradual and work on stuff and slowly extend him? I'm in favor of the latter and piggy back or work in some other 2022 pen options to get a chance. But other than just being dominate and blowing everyone away for 5-6 IP every time out, what more could we expect from a rookie pitcher being promoted this aggressively after not pitching for a year? I think he has a real future as a solid 4-5 SO. Anything more is gravy and to be decided by time and experience.

Little late to this thread, but agree with Ash that it depends on how you want to define "intrigued". Obviously, getting Martin is big. His floor would seem to be a high quality hitter with some power potential, great bat control, decdnt speed, etc, who should be a super utility guy who can play all over daily. I absolutely think he should keep playing SS to see what he might be there. And how can you not be excited to add SWR and Ryan both to Duran, Winder, Balazovic, Canterino, Sands, Ober, Enlow when healthy and a few others. But Strotman is the guy who "intrigues" me the most. By all reports he throws in the mid to upper 90's and his other pitches show solid potential. He missed most of 2018 and 2019 dealing with TJ surgery and recovery. After missing 2020, and only 5 games at A+, he jumped AA entirely and went to AAA for this season. His K rate is excellent even though his control is off. But coming off surgery, and missed time control always seems to be the last part of the recovery process. I think we got a big arm, potentially, from a well respected farm system, who is just a little "down" despite what he's doing at AAA at the right time with a good future.

I think you hit the nail on SS. There ARE a couple really nice options coming forward really soon to compete, including Lewis, when healthy, and Martin. Palacios should be up to St Paul TOMORROW to see if he is for real. It's time to push some of these kids. Doesn't mean the only 24yo Polacios is a bum if he doesn't continue to rake. It just means you believe in him and are challenging him. To me, I'd be looking at the best fill-in at SS I could find for 2022. I'm playing amateur GM. The Simmons move didn't work out but most of us thought it would. S**t happens. Polanco will only get better and better at 2B given time. Arraez is a smart and productive BALLPLAYER who will only get better and better with opportunity and experience. He is PERFECT in his role at 3 spots and some DH. Who decided DH has to be a banger? Maybe someone like Galvis woukd be perfect for one year?

One thing I feel is so overlooked is the results of 2019-2020 with a rookie manager and a mostly new coaching staff. ROOKIE manager Baldelli lead this team to a pair of outstanding seasons. Wes Johnson helped make immediate differences both years for the pitching staff. Rowson was so well regarded as a hitting coach he got a promotion to bench coach for another team, Marlins IIRC. Shelton was so highly regarded as a career milb coach/manager and his job as bench coach for the Twins he got the Pirates job and might have been the Mets coach, again IIRC, before controversy over Houston changed the complexion of things. Jeremy Heffner was the Twins ASSISTANT/BP coach before being hired away by the Mets as their primary PC. Sawyer came in and not only changed how our catchers set up to receive the ball, but also changed how they got batting practice, before they were worn out from just catching everyone. Mike Bell seemed like a really smart hire as a Shelton replacement before never assuming the role due to cancer and his terribly unfortunate early demise. There is a very recent history, despite one aweful and disappointing year, that maybe this FO knows how to change things. They have an almost immediate history of finding high coaching talent good enough to be poached by the rest of MLB. Past players have commented on how the NEW Twins way is about individual development vs some old school formula. And I am not picking on LastOnePicked or anyone else. We all have the rights to our opinions. Period! I just get frustrated that "Twins suck", "Rocco sucks", "FO suck" when we are talking about a horrible, disappointing season. It absolutely, positively, "sucks". But sometimes s**t happens, even when you least expect it. And blame is easy. It's what happens tomorrow that is important! Me....stepping off my stool.

The context is really, when broken down to the rub, did they do well. You can't be happy or feel good that Cruz and Berrios are gone. And I am not going to debate on extension offers/efforts for Berrios. I hope nobody else does either. That ship has sailed. On top of that a] we really have no idea about said offers or Berrios's hopes/demands, and b] I grudgingly accept that unless he was blown away by an offer, he is determined to test FA, which is his earned right. But I know I am sad to see the guy go after watching since he was drafted. What grade would I give the results? I'm giving the EARLY results a solid A. I think it's way too easy to simply claim the FO got quality back because they traded high quality. The FO COULD have botched the return by insisting pitching only, and missed out on a top talent, or, they could have done the old "quantity vs quality" route we have seen in the past. They added THREE talented arms with real potential and what would seem to be solid floors with some good to even high ceilings. Don't give me some ACE arguement. Nobody drafts or trades for an ACE. You get good arms and develop them and some, here and there, turn out to be an ACE. The rest turn out to be a solid 1-3 and quality 4-5. A few turn out to be quality BP pieces and sometimes superior ones. (Of course some wash out, not ignoring that fact). Disk from the Cardinals is LH and breathing with high SO numbers and some control issues, He is also only 24yo and at AA with a little over a season of milb rookie and low A ball before missing 2020 like everyone did, I wish I knew more about him but haven't been able to find much in way of his "stuff" after a couple quick searches. But for Happ? A flier is a win. Gant is not old. He may have been a DFA by the Cardinals. He's a body they picked up. Maybe he's one of those guys who find something and click with a different organization and different coaching. Maybe he's gone tomorrow, Doesn't matter. Happ is gone and they got a young LHRP as a flier. Enough said. Not going to lie, I'm intrigued and stunned by Scherff from Boston without even knowing what he throws. He's only 23yo and was their 5th round selection in 2017. He didn't pitch until 2018 where he put up fairly pedestrian numbers at rookie and low A ball. Same with 2019 at low A and a single appearance at A+. Again like everyone else, he missed 2020. This season he was moved to the pen and began the season at A+ where he looked really good before moving to AA a few weeks ago. He has been pretty much outstanding since the move to the pen. Bullpen arms have value too. And for a 2 month rental on Robles, this MIGHT be more than just a cheap flier. A grade for the FO? Not sure what I can add to what I already said. They sure didn't blow the moves they made. But I am going to respectfully disagree with Tom, Nick, Seth and Matt (via their statements in podcasts), I just can't downgrade the results of the moves made because the FO didn't do "enough". I just don't believe there was a market for Simmons, having probably his worst career year. Rogers being hurt took him out of the trade market. I don't think you could have moved him even if you wanted to. (IMO, they wouldn't have unless blown away for various reasons). I think Pineda would have brought back SOMETHING if moved. And while I am about 70-80% certain a re-sign has been discussed, a trade and re-sign may have complicated that idea. And call me foolish if you will, I kinda like the comments from the Twins as to reasons for keeping him. Value vs flier/prospect and the such I'm OK with this. Trading Kepler made no sense to me unless blown away. And I've spoken about this before, so will leave that alone. For a lot of reasons, moving Donaldson would have been smart and nice. I only heard 2 rumors of interest. MAYBE there was more? But how much do you have to give up $ wise if you're the Twins to make any move? They guy has been durable and productive in a lousy 2021 season. IF his attitude doesn't go all to hell next year, he could be of far more value than the $8-10M you might have saved by trading him and "buying out" most of his contract. So I get the, "we could have done even more" objections, but I disagree.

I'll bite, briefly, with less than a day an assume Berrios is moved. I have little concern about the 4 and 5 spots. Complain or laugh at me, but those last 2 spots are open to Dobnak, (healthy and given a role he's comfortable with), Ober, (showing real potential), Winder, Duran, Balazovic, Ryan, Strotman with, Barnes and Jax maybe, but probably more pen options, and Sands and Canterino just behind due to IP at their level in 2021. There are so many talented options I just listed to provide options for the 4 and 5 spots...not including anyone brought onboard over the next 12hrs....to provide depth and competition, and hope and flexibility. And I will not discuss anyone for bullpen options even in the temporary as that's kind of a given, at this point as that is not the discussion at hand. The Twins need a quality SP to compete for a top 3 spot WITH Berrios. Without him opens a rather black hole depending on whether the team expects to re-build the pen and contend. Without Berrios, we need TWO quality SP, one of whom has to be the equivalent of Berrios as a replacement. How in the hell do you do that?! You either pull a rabbit out of the hat like you did with Odorizzi or Maeda, or you take a calculated high risk, high reward option like Synderaard or Verlander, etc. You pony up big $ on some sort of 1yr or 2yr deal and run with it because you believe in your lineup and pitching depth and additional moves to re-build the pen. And then you re-sign Pineda, or someone similar, to be your 3rd starter. Crazy? Maybe. But I maintain there is a lot to like for the lineup and depth. There appears to be enough $ available in 2022 for one big gamble, a solid #3 option, as well as addressing the pen without blowing the "proposed" budget all to hell. Still comes down to contending in 2022 or 2023. I think if the FO is smart enough, and shrewd enough, they could make BOTH work with an easy $150-ish payroll.

Agreed. But look at the talent and untapped potential still.. And despite some pedestrian numbers, a huge improvement over 2019. And he's had some good streaks and shown his power potential. How much more could we be seeing if he had 2020 to start this rebound? I'm not sure the Twins will have the room to protect him this offseason. And maybe they shouldn't. But it could be a dangerous decision not to. Again, I think he and the Twins "lost" more on/for him than any other prospect with the lost 2020 season.

Said it before and will say it again, of all the prospects in the Twins system, Javier may have been most affected by a lost 2020 season. The Twins are going to have a tough time regarding him and the 40 man this offseason. Imagine how much further along he might be and how much easier the decision might be if he had played last year. Another good day for the system!

Honestly, until today I thought his experience, solid career, LH and breathing, and some decent starts on the season would get an A ball flier or something. I think now it's just time to cut bait, open a 40 man spot, and begin the "getting your feet wet" process for one of the kids. The ONLY reason I keep him is IF Berrios and Pineda are both suddenly moved. Maybe then we need IP from him? But really, could anyone do worse?

I dare to say this because the risk can't be avoided. But could Buxton be a Puckett kind of face of the franchise? His talent and his potential is game breaking. Could he languish in the unfortunate hall of "what Could have been"? Absolutely! And the Twins could have a burn that lingers for a few years. But how do you ever "go for it" unless you take a risk once in a while? Despite being a frustrated fan, I can easily get why the Twins are trying to play things safe. I mean, realistically, how can you commit 10% plus of your payroll to a guy you don't even know can be on the field for 100 games or more? But how can you not ignore what he does when on the field and HAVE to believe that bad luck HAS to even out at sometime? That's the rub. $15M per with decent, honest incentives for 100 games and then 120 games that raise the annual value to $25M. Toss in an opt out after 4yrs if you need to. If he rejects that, I'm not sure what you are supposed to do at that point.

I didn't vote not because I felt cowardly, but because I just don't know. I guess I should have voted "unsure". While we haven't seen all the fruits of their labor to this point, and I could argue some moves I didn't like, I think I'm smart enough to look beyond immediate returns to see positive changes taking place. And I'm not just talking about a pair of ALC banners. When I see positive draft results that offer optimism, an accumulation of arms that could pay off relatively soon, a change in coaching philosophy that has been echoed by past Twins players as a positive change for the future, and a group of quality coaches and instructors who have been poached by other teams, I feel this FO has proven they have a good eye for talent, players and personnel. And yes, I give a mulligan for 2020 in many ways but not in every way. The reality is tomorrow will not bring a $200M payroll. And I'm not going to blame the FO or ownership to match the Yankees, Dogers, etc. So I'm not going to ask for a change at the FO for many reasons. Let's be honest about Buxton. He's a $30M player with 140 games played. Hell, he's worth that with 120 games. But you just can't dismiss history. Buck and his reps know this, but they also know his history and his risk. Despite initial rejection of the first offers I have not heard talks are broken off. What I would do: 1] Buxton: 7yrs, $15M per. Escalators or incentives, $5M at 100 games, another $5M at 140 games. Give him an opt out after 4yrs to bet on himself at that point if he wants to. Fair, and both sides are betting on themselves. 2] Make no mistake, Santana was developed by the Twins. So was Radke. Berrios is the first legitimate top of the rotation SP developed since then. Let me be very clear that I am, have been, a fan and believer in Berrrios. I still believe that "stuff" combined with experience will allow him to raise his game at 28yo to find another level. I am NOT saying that next level will be the mythical ACE level everyone yearns for and is so hard to find. But I have to laugh at those who state he is a #3 SP. PLEASE! The guy is QUALITY. Someone will pay real money for him if he hits the market. And maybe the FO should have tried harder 2yrs ago. IDK. But as much as I love Berrios, and believe in him, I'm still not sure I'd do $25M per. That's a lot of payroll for a very good SP who still has a few questions. I'd JUMP at 5yrs and $100M with GS incentives bumping him up to a potential $25M per. Both of these, to me, make so much sense on either side. If not, the Twins would be between a rock and a hard place.

On the surface, this trade makes sense in return value and I would strongly consider it with a potential overpay of Peraza and Gill, even if it helps the Yankees. His overall ability offensively, his defense, CF flexibility and cost control gives him a value that is underappreciated. Even if he just never adjusts his approach whatsoever, he has great value as a primary starting OF with quality defense and can play a solid CF over 120-140 games as a starter who you sit against a LHSP but can come in to a game when the SP is out. But these are also the reasons for the Twins to keep him and just make sure you have a quality RH OF to give him, and Larnach, some days off. There is an illusion the Twins have a glut of power hitting corner OF. Larnach and Kirilloff have graduated and have bright futures. Wallner is the next big bat and he's in A+ with some potential. Rooker is a virtual clone of Willingham, a guy who should be a DH but won't kill you in the OF or 1B. There are also a couple guys who aren't big bats, but have the potential to be solid starters or 4th OF options who have a sort of "overall" ability to contribute at the ML level. And I'm not saying there isn't value for that kind of player. Think Hatcher, Lawton, or Cave when he was healthy and actually hitting. Potentially, some solid guys who could carve out a nice niche, maybe even as a starter. But right now, today, the depth of the OF in the system is a collection of young, talented CF who are at AA and below. And this includes Celistino who should be at St Paul. A return for Kepler should be pretty big because you have to look at a lot more detail other than "he never turned out to be a star". I wouldn't move him unless there was a nice overpay I couldn't turn down.

The Twins have questions at SS. Palacios is having a fine year in his return from the Rays where he just couldn't hit AA pitching previously.. How is he not at AAA at this point to see if his bat is even close to being real? Another good day in the system overall.

Just a couple quick comments besides "we won!" 1] Happ still has SOME value as a trade chip with his career and some good games this year. He may not bring a lot back, but I would be willing to bet someone would offer of a decent AA player or A+ flier for a veteran LH to make starts and hope for a couple months re-surgance in their drive. 2] I was always concerned that everyone seemed convinced that Jeffers was going to suddenly be a STUD after such a SSS to end 2020. Which is why I hoped for a cheap veteran LH catching option for depth. But in a lost season, and with inconsistency that I expected, I'm still seeing enough in Jeffers that I think he's going to be OK. And his continued development may allow Garver to spend more time at 1B and DH as well as being the #2 catcher to keep him in the lineup daily. 3] Gordon FINALLY got to play as a call-up. He showed a spark. Then he struggled. Surprise for a rookie with limited AB! He has also been transitioning to a position he has never played before on the fly. So he sits. And then he has a good game. Etc. I have no idea if Gordon will turn out to be a quality starter at any position or turn out to be a NICE utility player. I strongly lean toward the latter at this point. But in a lost season, again I say, let the kid play! You've protected him for 2yrs because you see potential. Then let him play, here, there, everywhere but let him play in a lost season and see what you might or might not have!

Hey, so a quick Google search about Ryan should bring up a very interesting article about him from Sports Illustrated. There is also a link to the article concerning the original trade, so I won't attempt to provide the link here. Probably the most common frame of reference regarding a "deceptive fastball" is the way a pitcher "hides" the ball for a moment longer than others. This can come in various forms, but think someone like Ober, for example, and regardless of his new-found velocity. Tall and long, the batter doesn't see the ball coming out of Ober's hand as quickly as he would out of most pitchers. What Ryan does is release his pitch a fraction later and "lower" than most pitchers. Regardless of where he is "sending" the pitch, his release point is lower above the ground, literally, than the height at which most pitchers release the ball. Now, we're not talking about a sidearm or underhanded delivery, but in a similar fashion, the ball is coming in at a different "level" than a batter is used to seeing, creating deception. He developed his release after years of playing water polo and the article at SI can explain it better than me, but that is the jist of it.

Decided to post this year, being slightly more recent of an OP, and forgive me if someone also posted previously elsewhere. Drew Strotman was drafted higher than Joe Ryan initially. Reports have him consistently throwing in the mid 90's with some quality secondary stuff. He is ranked behind Ryan now not due to ability/potential but because he had TJ surgery in June of 2018. (I believe my time frame is correct). Strotman then returned to the hill in 2019 for 4 games in the old GCL and 5 games in the A+ FSL following his rehab. He then missed all of 2020, as virtually everyone did, with time spent at the Ray's alternate site. He was added to the Ray's 40 man this year and jumped over AA to pitch at AAA this year, 2021. Control is always the last thing to come following TJ surgery. What his future may hold, and Ryan's for that matter, is to be determined. But Strotman is NOT some "throw in" arm on this deal. His 2021 numbers are solid across the board except for a slightly elevated BABIP and his BB numbers. Again, getting all of his control back after surgery, a missed season, and skipping over AA. Not being able to watch Nellie finish the year stinks. But father time IS going to catch up and sooner rather than later. He was going to be a FA after this year and the Twins are in the same place now as they will be when the season ends, a potential bidder if they want to be. To acquire a pair of arms with this much potential for a half season rental, no matter how good Cruz is, was a tremendous return that I never saw coming.

What am I missing here? I mean, Cruz could be a real difference maker for the Rays, but a top pitching prospect and another good pitching prospect, both at AAA and from an organization known for finding and developing arms for a half season rental? Intrigued and excited! But this just seems too good to be true.

Bingo! A change in philosophy, team wide or personal, along with, PERHAPS, a change in coaching, might still see some improvement from Max to unlock his talent/potential. I DO NOT want to label Kirilloff as a 1B only at this point as I think he's fine as a corner OF as well. Even without raising his game to another level, a RH hitting OF of decent quality allows Kepler to semi-platoon and help cover CF as well. (I dismiss defensive metrics for this season due to his hamstring issue). Think Refsnyder being real or a RH version of Cave to be added. (No snark needed, I'm making an example). The Twins have graduated Kirilloff and Larnach with real promise and potential shown. Celistino has been promoted way early, which we all recognize, but has nice potential in CF with a little more time, or as a versatile 4th OF. But as it stands today, the majority of OF talent in the minors is mostly at A ball. A lot of teams in contention could get real help from Kepler. And you have to listen if they call. But he is young enough, talented enough, proven enough, and cost controlled to be a viable, quality part of the Twins for the next few years. The offer to move him would have to be pretty damn good.

The most important thing at this point is to get him 100% healthy and ready to go for 2022, building on this year. IIRC, this injury is different from the previous wrist injury he suffered in milb, or the other wrist, or both. So the belief/hope is that this is unfortunate but not chronic.

JMO, with Berios still here in 2022, I've believed the Twins will, obviously, make a trade or sign a FA to add to the top of the rotation. The smart thing would probably be another inexpensive Shoemaker-like signing as a flier for competition and depth. But I also firmly believe that the final 2 rotation slots will be opened wide for Ober, Dobnak, Winder, Duran, and Balazovic. Barnes and Jax may get looks but are probably a notch behind along with Sands who I hope gets to finish with some AAA time yet this year. So I think there is a 50% chance that at least one of Winder or Balazovic break with the Twins. Both should be part of 2022 regardless.