DocBauer

Really good work, Tom! And each arguement presented has merit to be sure. Of course, MLBTraderumor numbers are speculation at this point. And the obvious sticking point with any FA discussed is simply not knowing how any team's payroll is going to shape up much less the Twins. I'm with you that my hope is the FO looks at their contention status and decides to keep things in that $135-140M window and see no raise in payroll as a form of cut. Opens up a lot of possibilities. Be that as it may, just a few thoughts.... I'm not going to address Bauer for reasons that should be obvious. I'm of the school that status quo isn't always a good thing, but sometimes keeping what you know/have can be the best solution. And while he is not part of your list, I think a healthy Odorizzi may be the Twins best option whether it be 1yr or longer. I do think Walker and Richards, who you briefly mentioned, could be very smart and low cost options. Paxton, even at the bargain price of $10M kind of scares me. Which makes no sense when I say I find myself very intrigued by the older Kluber on an incentive laden deal. Something in my gut just tells me he is one of those guys who gets right and even at 80% of his old self he would be a very good middle rotation piece for around $10M. Call me crazy. Totally agree on Brantley as a Cruz replacement as he is good, steady, and can still play the OF for roster flexibility. We needed a solid BP arm even before May signed with the Mets. Just not sure I see the Twins moving on Hendricks, though I would love it. I think Yates or Rosenthal PLUS another decent arm for the same $10M might make more sense. The Twins seem to knkw how to build a bullpen. I have never considered LeMahieu as an option as I've always felt be would go back to N.Y. if they want him. But he might be my #1 from your list. He is the PERFECT 10th man due to his offense and defense and the fact he's already been used that way and in the lineup on a daily basis. But again, I just don't think he's going to be available. There is a lot of thought about Profar or Hernandez, who you didn't mention, as 10th man options. I like Profar and think his OF ability only adds to his value. Same with Hernandez. Offensively, neither is great, though they are solid and have had their moments. I would prefer the younger Profar if he could be convinced being a 10th man is not a bad thing. It still means you play every day, just at different spots. Can he be convinced at $6-7M for a contending club and playing dailyis better that a set position for a losing team? Not mentioned as he wouldn't be in anyone's top 10, Tommy LaStella could be a less expensive and really good 10th man option. Our 10th man doesn't have to play OF with the depth there. Despite your deserved fascination with Semien, I feel this team is good enough, well rounded enough, that I'd rather balance payroll for 5 additions rather than 2 or 3. I'm not saying buying in bulk is the answer, lol. But a quality SP, 2 BP arms I like, a 10th man who can bring offense and versatility, and a bat to potentially replace Cruz/Rosario seems to make more sense to me for $40M than 2 guys who might grab the majority of that extra $.

Funny story attributed to a very smart Trevor Plouffe on the latest Gleeman and the Geek where he was basically quoted as saying if he was in charge of a team he'd call up the Rays and ask about a possible trade proposal and whoever the Rays asked for in return he'd check mark that guy as untouchable. LOL Cody, I think you are dead on with this article. I have always believed you build the best, deepest, most complete team you can and then see what happens. There is no magic formula to building a WS winner. I mean, weird 2020 season or not, the WS was between a $200M Doger team and the cost driven Rays. You build the best team you can with what you hope is a great staff, and look to make the playoffs and see what happens. Period. You have to win to get there. There is no "build a team that beats the Yankees because we are somehow cursed" format. Great, you take 8 of 9 from the Yankees during the regular season. What if you don't make the post season? What if you do but lose to someone else and/or never face them? I am ALL IN trading a prospect or two or three from any kind of depth to acquire a player who makes a difference. But I am NOT in favor of trading away a big part of the future for one guy who may or may not make it happen. I'm also not in favor of spending $ capital on one guy at the sacrifice of the rest of my roster. If SP X doesn't win game 1 for whatever reason, in the playoffs or WS, then what do you have for game 2 and 3, etc? Again, NOT opposed to making moves! But I believe in building the best and deepest team you can for success, not just one year, but for all years. Think the Dogers again. Despite all their $ and vaunted milb system, and all their playoff appearances, they still hadn't won a WS since the late 80's. The organisation and their fans love that they won this year! And they have every right to celebrate! But do you think for a moment that they didn't enjoy being in contention and having winning teams over the intervening years didn't bring great joy? Yes, I'm rambling! LOL. But the point of all of this is that this team is GOOD. And the future looks bright as well. And I'm not willing to proclaim Maeda is an ACE at this juncture. He COULD be. Or he could be a great #2. In fact, Berrios is young enough, talented and determined enough, he could still emerge as the Twins best SP. Any way you slice it, there are no glaring defects with this team other than balancing the entire roster with what is on hand, what is coming, and what's available to bring in. As is, right now, they need a SP as good as or better than Pineda. Is that a healthy Odorizzi? Considering the market and what he nas done the last 2yrs, I would say yes. Is there someone better? IDK? Who saw the Maeda deal coming last year? But SOMEONE needs to be brought on board and I don't think it has to be some costly, potential #1 option. You still need a lineup, a bench and a pen. And even IF the Twins don't drop down from the $138-140M of last year, there remains a structure you have to fit 2021 in to.

I am not directly opposed to either on a cheap 1yr. A little surprised they were cut loose considering relative youth and what I would suppose are rather inexpensive contracts. Renfro could form at least a quasi-platoon with Cave/Wade if Kirilloff/Larnach and/or Roomer needed more time. But I believe the Twins feel they are ready so I probably say no. No matter how cheap of a 1yr Renfro may be, I think the money could be better spent elsewhere. Nunez actually intrigues me more. He will only be 26yo until April and has power. He can DH, sub at 1B and the fact that he can and has played a little 3B offers a little lineup flexibility here and there. His inability to dominate LH pitching doesn't really concern me as most arms remain RH. But again, no matter the cost, couldn't the money perhaps be better spent elsewhere? I think the Twins can and should aim higher, even with questions about an undetermined payroll. But if utility, rotation and bullpen are addressed and there is just no room for Cruz, you could do a lot worse that adding an inexpensive power bat like this to finish out the roster.

Matthew, appreciate the entire black Friday, blue light special thought process. And there is some upside and potential quality here. I'm just not sure, even with possible payroll restrictions, that there are matches here. Miller: I'm not sure he really is better offensively than Marwin was when you look at his career quad slash line, despite the 2020 fall off by Gonzalez. I think...if we are talking budget acquitions only...that Cabrera for about a $1M more and brining back Adrianza isn't a better move. Pillar: I love this idea! I was hoping for him last season. Some power and speed to go with excellent defense. He provides a legitimate CF option behind Buxton and LF insurance if any of the prospects struggle at first. But will he be willing to accept a non-starter role? Financially speaking, there are larger concerns, potentially, to fill that would only allow his signing on something like $1-2M. I just don't see this happening even though it would be a great fit. Wacha and Anderson: Interesting! I like Wacha better with upside and younger. Really hoping payroll/moves will allow us to bring in someone as good or better to the mix with Pineda for that 3/4 spot. Wacha offers upside and hope on the cheap. But I'd like to think we can find a better option for a contending team and make it fit. Wilson and McGee: I think both of these guys could be a CHEAP investment with high dividend reward potential, especially if you don't buy in to Thielbar. But how inexpensive and what kind of floor/ceiling would you expect? Clippard did what he bas done year after year, which is perform against LH and RH for an inexpensive deal. Despite his success and consistency, he doesn't put up huge numbers and is not a closer or elite set-up man. So he grinds out year to year for $2.5-3M deals. Money may be tight, but IMO, he's a smart re-sign for $2-3M. These guys would be outstanding values on $1-1.5M as a potential 3rd "LH" offering from the pen to compete with Thielbar. A well thought out and interesting OP! I like a lot of what you've presented here. I just think/hope the FO will find a way to fit better options in.

I don't know many IP Maeda threw oversees, but he hit 175 his first season with the Dogers. While his performance and numbers the next 3yrs were good/excellent he was moved to the pen to help their run. As one of our top rotation pieces you want him to pitch 180 innings plus. There's absolutely no reason to believe he can't do that, especially with an occasional break here and there and no over-use, which the Twins seem to be good at preventing with thjs staff. And the guy I watched pitch last season seems to be more than capable of maintaining what we saw. So while he hasn't done it but once thus far, doesn't mean he can't. In fact, the Doger pen moves and the short 2020 season may actually prove beneficial to a 30yr old arm. But the pragmatic part of me wants to see it first before I talk extension or any bump in his incentive clauses. And then, as Diesel mentioned, there is the ghost of Hughes lingering. I don't think you extend a guy already under contract...or again bump his incentives...until you see more. No to any re-work of his deal at this time.

#11] Twins daily and it's community at large, and all the hard work done by those that run and maintain it.

Despite his loss at the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020, what he has done performance wise has been excellent. He was a very smart acquisition by the FO. I'm glad to have him back for 2021. Any sort of extension, in my mind, is not based on what he has done thus far. It's based on 2 key points that we don't know yet: 1] Who do the Twins add? Do we sign Odorizzi or someone else via FA or trade? We NEED one more SP. But whoever we add, if it's only a 1yr deal, that could raise Pineda's value. 2] How close do the Twins view Duran, Balazovic, Chalmers and Ober as being ready? There is no such thing as a bad 1yr contract, right? No insult, but after the suspension, I would think another 1yr deal for $10M...MAYBE $12M...would be in order. You could offer a similar 2nd year with a $2M buyout. And I'd be OK with that. Quality SP is worth an aweful lot. And Pineda comes cheap, potentially. But with some talented young arms on the way...before we see what the FO does...I'm balking at anything other than a 1yr with a decent 2nd year and an affordable buyout.

Going to disagree with you slightly here, Seth. I see Celestino the same way I view Lewis. The Twins are built to compete RIGHT NOW barring something obscene happening. I don't feel, right now, especially coming off no milb season despite the reserve list at St Paul and development time at Ft Myers, that the Twins are in any shape to just promote for the sake of promoting and looking towards the future. We've done that a couple of times in the past, and we HAVE been rewarded when we did so. I feel Celestino and Lewis don't have to be penciled in over the next couple of seasons as a lock. I feel both will be brought up, hopefully soon, as bench pieces to get their feet wet without being counted on as every day players. And there's nothing wrong with that. And if Celestino is what we hope he can be, it could change the perspective of a Buxton extension. But he is still a prospect at this point. But I see both he and Lewis coming up as fill ins and utility players initially.

I like this and think it's fair. I might bump it up to $30M to make the first couple of guaranteed years a little more enticing. NOBODY can debate what he does when healthy or his potential. But Buck and his agent also can't deny his limited time on the field thus far. I can't blame him for a FB to his head at the end of last season. And I can't blame him for a crazy foul ball that injured a toe, or a weird cleat caught in the OF making a play. And you'd like to think good luck/karma would assist along with a few tweaks like playing deeper, jumping on 2 legs, holding back here and there vs sacrificing your body, etc. Waiting another year, a full season, might be the smart thing to do. But if he's healthy for 2021 and plays 120-140 games, his $ value goes up. So the Twins are in a very awkward situation here. But so is Buck banking on better health and luck going forward. Were it me as his agent, or Byron himself, and the Twins offered my something like this, I'd jump at it. I MIGHT lose $ in the future, but I'd also have guaranteed life changing money in hand.

IMO, I think you're close Seth. With the option year, he hits the market again at age 32 and potentially earns a nice deal from the Twins or someone else. The issue I see is he is an intense competitor who believes in himself and if I'm not mistaken, isn't he still represented by Boras? I believe they would balk at the option year and want 5yrs locked in. And I think $72M might be a bit light in their opinion. I'm thinking closer to $80M might get it done. They key is SPECULATION what he might get on the market for 2023-25. Of course, they'd be looking at $20M+ I'd think. They might be looking at 5yrs and $90M, which would give me pause. At $80M for 5yrs I'd jump. Why would they take $80m-ish? Because it's guaranteed money with covid/post-covid concerns, a potential drop in the market over the next couple of seasons, and the unknown of the next CBA. I still believe we haven't seen the best of Berrios yet, consistently over a full season. I think we might with growth and a change in his training routine, which we MIGHT have seen if 2020 had been a full season. In short, I'm in for 5yrs and $80M. I'm not sure future "risk" would make me go $90M. But I'd really like to see this done. Risk/reward tells me he's worth it.

Err...meant to say height and length AREN'T a very large factor when it comes to pitching potential. Just wanted to clarify my rushed and badly typed response.

That much height and length is intriguing for deception, if nothing else. But it's been observation that said length does little to nothing to create velocity. (When you look around and compare). And it seems that great height and length has more "moving parts" to it, creating greater mechanical issues at times. Not saying height and length are bad things. I just feel they are a very large factor.

If anyone in the system is worthy of an early extension, it would certainly be Kirilloff. It's a risk/reward for both sides, of course, but one worth considering. Especially in the strange socio-economic climate we find ourselves ins right now. I find speculation about service time to be irelivant. Especially considering AK's debut and the unknown departure of Rosario. If he looks ready next ST...then he looks ready. If he doesn't look great, then he goes down for a few weeks and someone else takes the spot to begin the season. I don't believe the Twins are really looking at service time right now but rather the best team they can put on the field for 2021. Doesn't mean they couldn't consider an extension for Kirilloff. I just think they have a few more priorities to address at the moment.

Another wonderful interview, Seth! Greatly appreciated! The Twins like him enough to protect him, which is great, but didn't see enough immediate benefit to include him in St Paul. I can understand that. Though reflecting on some of the other guys there over the season, I would have thought they might have snuck him in. For instance, wasn't Barnes brought in for the last few weeks? And it seems strange he wasn't included in the instructional league either. I don't want to poke my nose where it doesn't belong, but I have to assume this was due to the impending birth of his second child and covid concerns. And I get that. Really looking forward to seeing him in 2021 and really hoping he is healthy and ready to go! Can't help but wonder if he will skip additional time at AA and move straight to AAA.

Hey Ash, I agreed with the sentiment from TopGun's post of picking Cruz 11 times out of 10 over Rosario. I agree with you about what criteria and numbers may or may not be chosen to make said arguement. And so I like and agree with your post as well. Baseball is a game obsessed with numbers and statistics. We all know this, and it's for good and viable reasons, I do think, at times there are SO MANY numbers that reality gets lost and you can make/find numbers to say what you want. So while I am not disagreeing with you, or anyone, I'm using these combined arguements to make a point of my own beliefs/opinions. I think I've been pretty clear on the record as loving Rosario, believe he's given a bum rap at times that "anyone" could produce his numbers the last couple of seasons, and I hate to see him go. The reality is the Twins are deep with OF talent ready or nearly so to take his spot. The current finances of MLB make him probably the "easiest" person to replace on the roster due to expected financial considerations. And if I had to choose the better overall hitter in Cruz for 2021, again, he's my choice. I believe he has at least one more really good year left in him. Beyond that is a question mark based on history. His potentially one really good season also helps the young players have a season to get a accustomed and ready to roll. All things being equal, I'd rather the FO bite the bullet for 2021 and keep payroll in the same $138-140M range and keep both for another year and work the kids in while still having room to make additions. Fantasy land? Maybe. But the taste of that bullet for another year isn't so bitter if the team has a real shot to do something. But if someone has to go, I'm voting Rosario. *Side Note: Still on target as it seems to be part of this discussion, the more I reflect, and after listening to some very interesting/valid discussion from John and Aaron on their most recent podcast, I confess to wavering somewhat on Cruz being a MUST re-sign. When I start to think about various options such as Brantley, Ozuna, Turner and possibly Santana or even Moreland as possible for the same or less $ per, I'm starting to wonder and debate.

Regardless whether you believe Eddie's production is based on his spot in the lineup, it's going to be really hard to replace that power and production AND lose Cruz...potentially...at the same time. I have high hopes for Kirilloff and Larnach both and reasonably high hopes for Rooker as well. I could see all 3 in Minnesota at some point this coming season. But I'm not willing to bank on them replacing the production of a pair of proven vets. I don't know if the Twins and Rosario are, indeed, considering a 1yr deal to avoid arbitration and a potential DFA or not. There is a logic to it from both sides of the are. I certainly don't see room for both he and Cruz remaining unless the payroll sticks in the $138-$140M range. At tbe end of the day, I see the Twins preferring to keep Nellie for a few different reasons. But there is a definite logic to your thoughts, Tom. I'm still betting on a DFA at this point.

That was a blast! Totally agree on remembering Ford. We lost a lot of quality ballplayers back in the 70's and he was one of them. I had almost forgotten him. Just a little sad every time I see Mourneau's name. What might have been?

EVERY SINGLE TIME I put pen to paper to figure out my blueprint for 2021, and EVERY SINGLE TIME I listen to the various podcasts here on TD...all done wonderfully BTW...Cruz just doesn't seem to fit on the roster for an "estimated" $125M payroll. Not unless you cut corners somewhere else to the probable detriment to the construction of the team at large. But Cruz has been Mr. Twin since the day be arrived. He has been an outstanding performer and ambassador for the Twins. Now it appears he is contending for Mr. Minnesota. It's why I keep hoping the Twins will be content with a $130M+ plus payroll to find a way to keep him. Losing him...along with Rosario the same offseason...is troubling for the team. I think the FO and ownership understand that. But it's still a business with hard decisions to make at times. It is my hope that the hard decision made is to bank on a contending team and keep a prime piece of that team intact for at least one more year for production, leadership, and public relations by not cutting payroll, or at least only trimming it slightly.

Agree here 100%. It's interesting and fun in a dark way to re-visit past drafts in any sport. But drafts are always a bit of a crapshoot, especially in baseball. And for every whiff in the first round, many teams have a stud player from each class drafted later on. Stewart was considered a great athlete with tremendous potential and about as sure of a thing as you can get in a HS pitcher. Raw, but tremendous potential. He wasn't a reach at the time. No offense to Gordon who I still believe can carve out a decent career as a solid utility player with some offense, but I just never saw him as a good pick that early. (Though some early success made me optimistic). I really liked Turner in that draft. But as I recall, he had a down season and slid down the boards. He was a guy I really wanted. Tremendous disappointment for Jay. But again, as I recall, it was considered a poor draft that year and the Twins needed arms. He was one of the most talented ones that year and should have been a quality RP at worst. HUGE bummer there! No way I can downgrade the Buxton selection as there was no way to predict injuries and set backs. He's a stud when he plays. And he's still young enough to believe we haven't seen the best of him yet.

I had to check out Ober's numbers again. WOW! I actually forgot just how incredible they were! He got 24IP at Pensacola in 2019. I'm guessing he goes back to AA to begin 2021, but wondering if he bas a shot at AAA? The loss of a milb system affects everyone, not just the Twins. So all but the prospects who were invited to the reserve sites are going to have that lost year that hopefully EST helped. It's going to be really interesting to see how rosters and possible level promotions are handled next year. I'm guessing Balazovic goes to AA to begin the year with hopes of AAA at some point. But could he end up being fast tracked?

I 100% agree he's raw. I think he's at least a year away. Honestly, I doubt anyone would select him. Even if they did, would they really stash him for a full season? I doubt it. But the FO obviously sees his potential. And with Garver, Jeffers on hand, with Telis and Astudillo available, there is no pressure. But he is an emergency option who now gets a chance for a full season to develop and we see what he is when 2021 is done.

Again, fun, smart and well thought out. Great work guys! Echoing the previous sentiment that there is merit with each plan. Going to offer a little feedback in reverse order for reasons that will probably be apparent. 3] Nick: Love the Snell trade but believe the Rays have a window right now and won't trade Snell for a year. He's affordable, even for them, for another season. BUT, if they are willing, I don't believe Kirilloff get's it done. I'm thinking Larnach instead, with Enlow or Canterino and a decent lower level prospect with some upside. And I'd make that move. I love Larnach and who knows, he may end up better than AK. But there is just enough difference in he and Kirilloff, IMO, that a 3 for 1 has Larnach and not AK. I like the idea of Simmons at SS and Polanco, or Arraez, becoming a super utility 10th man who plays daily. And really, would it matter? Opportunity and versatility abounds without having to label anyone in a given role. I suspect the Rays holding on to Snell for one more year sort of dismantled your plan. 2] John: I fully appreciate your aggressiveness here. And I think the Twins have an "in" with Bauer from the FO, general familiarity after years in the ALC, and are a legitimate contending team. An intelligent, if opinionated and flamboyant personality, he now has an agent and is on the open market, albeit in weird off-season. My opinion based on this and a few various additional opinions, he will drop his 1yr at a time approach and sign a 2-3yr deal and then hit FA again. The Twins could afford that. And the rotation would be AMAZING. But I'm not sure I like sacrificing the remainder of the roster for this one big move. I also agree the roster, in general, doesn't have a MUST addition. And I also agree in the Twins ability to build a bullpen. I never want to take a young arm out of the rotation too early, but Colina and Chalmers are a couple of arms that could be ready soon if moved to the pen to join what is on hand. I like the Santana addition as a DH, who could still play a little 1B here and there. He had a lousy 2020, but was still good in 2019 and could easily be a bounce back candidate. He's no Nellie, but it's a smart addition. IMO, Bauer will end up with a higher bidder, though I think the Twins have a legitimate shot in your scenario. I do think the entire roster suffers, potentially, from just trusting the team to build a pen and fill in where they can. 1] Seth: I believe your approach makes the most sense overall. I am OK trading prospects to improve the team. But after no milb season, even with every team having taxi squads to work with at least some young talent, and an EST, how do fully evaluate young talent at this point as the Twins or any team? Oddorizi may or may not be the guy we saw take a step forward in 2019. But he's still young enough that I'm betting on him. With Storman and Glausman gone already, and Tanaka almost certainly going back to the Yankees if they want him, he is the best option to bring back. He has stated he wants to come back and the Twins have done nothing to treat him wrong. I'm willing to bet he, healthy, is closer to the 2019 version than not. I just think this is a perfect fit for player and team. I love Profar, or La Stella, as a 10th man option. BUT, I'm wondering if Cabrera on a 1yr isn't smarter for less money. The OF should be OK. Couldn't we use savings there for the pen? Speaking of the pen...I love Hand for $7M. But what about bringing back May and signing Yates on a bounce back for $3-4M and maybe even bringing back Clippard for $2-3M. The savings for no Hand and no Profar could deepen the pen. *Seems everyone would love Cruz back IF the payroll bumps to $130M or POSSIBLY stays the same. (No additional payroll is still a sort of "cut" if ownership is wanting to be aggressive with the window open). **everyone Seems to agree bringing back May if there is a couple $M available. I agree. Not sure if there is additional upside available. His arm and SO numbers can't be denied. His only negative is a handful of games where he was wild and allowed a big hit before settling down. We all know the role of a RP is volatile. Even more so in a SSS. Does he really get such a big offer that we can't squeeze him in? MY OPINION: 1] The Snell trade of a 3 for 1 is outstanding. I don't see it happening until 2022. So sign Oddo for the best deal possible. If not possible, look to Morton, Richards and Walker. 2] Trust the FO and staff to build a pen, but don't just trust in TBD and keep Rogers, look at keeping Clippard, May if you can, look at Hunter and Yates. There are so many possibles here that if you wait it out, there could be some real bargains late. 3] If $ doesn't allow Cruz to be back, then use the DH spot as a rotational spot. I don't think John's idea of Santana is bad at all. Smart idea if you believe he is what he bas usually been vs 2020. But maybe you just want to trust in Kirilloff, Rooker and Larnach, much less better health for a couple of guys and a normal season. The Twins have one of the best teams in all of MLB the past 2yrs with some very talented players oh so close to being ready. So I'm looking at tweaks and keeping what we have.

I think this is about exactly as it should be. I admit to being surprised by Ober's addition. You simply can't deny the production. He has been outstanding when on the mound. Obviously the Twins believe time, a few adjustments, etc, will alleviate some of his injury concerns. I've been wondering if his injury issues have been mechanical with his big frame, or if he's also been still growing in to that frame, or a combination of both. From my understanding, despite being tall and long, his velocity only sits in the high 80's and low 90's. I have suspected his length gives his FB a "jump" that gives the illusion of greater velocity. Does Johnson find a few more MPH with adjustments? I find him SO intriguing if he can just be healthy. Balazovic and Rortvedt just make obvious sense. No need to comment on J Blaze. And a young catcher with tons of talent and potential that doesn't have to be rushed is someone you hold on to. From those left off, Jax is the only guy that I actually see being selected and maybe sticking with someone, especially a non contender and a return of the 28 man roster. But even then, with no milb season last year, I'm expecting the rule 5 to be very limited this year.

With all due respect, it looks like a wonderful ballpark. But I have received pushback on Lincoln, NE, Haymarket Park, ALSO part of the AA which could find itself failing, as an option for the Twins. Wouldn't a beautiful ballpark in a city/state that thrives on amateur and semi-professional teams/athletics be just as good of a choice? (With SLIGHTLY better weather). Never understood an arguement for the Royals being in Omaha. This is a state that loves and supports sports and the Lincoln Salt Dogs have brought in fans and won within the confines of the AA.

This is a tough as nails but worthwhile discussion. He's been injury prone, absolutely. Migraines are something I know about. It would appear he has those under control as I haven't heard a word about them in some time. NOBODY could do ANYTHING about a foot/toe injured while playing. A FB hitting his helmet is also beyond his control. What IS in his control? Just not diving too often or running in to walls. He started to make that change this past season. But like so many things that happened in 2020, how do we judge Buxton? He will not be the next Mays or Griffey Jr at this point. And he won't be the next Henderson leadoff hitter we all hoped he would be. I would argue...even with disappointment...so what? He'll only be 27yo next season and has already displayed himself as difference maker when on the field. And he is morphing himself in to a decent power hitter with defense and speed. I'm starting to see him as more of an Jim Edmonds kind of player. If you can find a taker for a quality player, probably a controllable front of the rotation SP, I MIGHT be willing to make a trade and fill in CF the best you can for now...pending FA and future OF. But I'd much rather bet on talent and potential and a full season of adjusting his defensive/physical game for 2021 and beyond instead of selling relatively low at this point coming off 2020. I'd bank on Buxton continuing to make adjustments to keep him healthy, playing at least 120 games or more, and re-evaluate.