DocBauer

And this article is not only dead on, but it also brings up the Kirilloff debate yet again. Unfortunately. My arguements have always been to ignore the service time issue. He is young, talented, and I believe he's going to be very, very good. But what has Rooker done to show he DOESN'T deserve some kind of shot? Assuming a 13 man staff, which I think is the way to go, at least early on, it comes down to an OF or utility player for the final spot. This is assuming Cave is the 4th OF, which I am assuming is a given at this point. Kirilloff can have a great ST, destroy the baseball, and make this a moot point. But he can also open in AAA...where he's never played before...and let LF be manned by Arraez, Rooker and Cave. Rooker can play 3 spots, though maybe not great. (He actually saw a fair amount of time at 1B early in the initial 2020 ST and has played it before). That leaves 1 spot for Astudillo, the early favorite I think, or another glove guy to help protect Donaldson and everyone else and provide depth. On the other hand, you could keep AK AND Rooker and have only Arraez as an infield sub, at least to start the year. But guys like Gordon and Blankenhorn NEED TO PLAY. They need to be at AAA for the first month plus to develop and come up as opportunity arises.

Tickled pink to see Thorpe have a good day after all the positives we've heard about his mental/emotional state and great physical condition coming in. Maybe it's been LF, Australian or the incredible tough luck he had early in his career, but I've been rooting for him for some time now. While he is not a flame thrower, his career milb numbers are excellent. I saw flashes in 2019 when he was brought up. The extra option year is a gift not only for the Twins but for him. Now, he just needs to keep working hard and keep his positive attitude. Rotation and bullpen, there is going to be opportunity for him this season.

I'm not certain how I feel about the pen right now. I trust the FO and Johnson and how they have developed the pen each year thus far. I look at last year's group compared to now and I have to ask myself if the guys on hand are as good, better, or worse? I trust in Duffey, Colome and a bounceback from Rogers. I look at Robles's career and wonder how we can't expect good things bouncing back from 2020? May and Romo are replaced by Colome and Robles. I guess I feel this is a wash. I'm OK there. I think Stashak looks good and really liked the way Thielbar performed. My quandary comes beyond that. Can we replace what Clippard did? Does someone step forward and continue to develop? Alcala looks like he has a shot to be a difference maker. There are options, rotating options at that, to fill out long relief at least. There is a difference between quality vs quantity and I get that. But from Anderson to Hamilton and the rest of the invites that should make up the St Paul pen, there are about 7 guys all mid to late 20's that offer some intrigue in their stuff if unlocked. Some even have at least a little ML experience. Right now, all things considered, I'm going with a solid B+ to begin the year with easy potential to be an "A".

Unfortunately, this all echoes the various offseason discussions we've already had about Garver previously. He has a good eye, a smooth, quick and compact stroke with power. He's hit in college, the minors and even his rookie year in MLB. While I don't expect him to perform at the amazing level he did in 2019, he's going to be just fine. I can't describe how impressed I was with Jeffers, SSS or not. He wasn't playing in meaningless games either. My only concern in just lack of experience and will he make necessary adjustments quickly. Whether you like Astudillo or not, he is fine as a 3rd catcher who has shown he can hit some as well. Telis has experience, some hit ability and at least some ML experience. I don't believe he would embarrass himself. Rortvedt, IMO, just needs a little more time and I hope he isn't rushed. The defense is there. There is power potential. He needs time and experience to hone the hit ability. He's shown flashes. Agree and disagree about adding lower catching depth. You always want to draft a solid backstop of two every year. But from past drafts and international signings, they have added a few guys recently. The problem us they are so young and didn't play last year so we aren't really sure what we have.

WAY TOO EARLY speculation, but an extension for Simmons before the year is done?

Bless you for putting in that much research! Lol With luck, everyone gets to see their top SP be healthy for MOST of the season. Your top 3 ALL have 30-32 GS. But we all know that doesn't happen, right? In 2020 the Twins had one of the best staffs in MLB and they still spent half of it filling in the 4th and 5th spots. We're in agreement on depth. What I love most is what's behind the initial depth. Dobnak and Thorpe could be/are nice. Second half of the season with Duran, Balazovic and Chalmers...wow.

Sorry Matt, you started to lose me at 56 drafts and further lost me when you looked at a 3yr model of making an appearance at the ML level. First of all every selection, every player is different than every other player. Second, how can we possibly, accurately, quantify 56yrs of 1st picks, at different positions, considering how many washed out or barely made it? Third, medical procedures and recovery have not only changed in 56yrs, they have changed in 20yrs, 10yrs, even the past 5yrs. And each injury by itself is different. As is the recovery for each individual. So how about we just focus on Lewis directly? THE BAD: He will miss all of 2021 after not being able to play in 2020. This is terrible, aweful news for Lewis and the Twins. There is no positive here. His career is now set back at least a full year, coming off a missed 2020 as well. He's going to lose, arguably, two full seasons of development for things not his fault. THE GOOD/POSITIVE: He is super talented and had a great debut in 2017 with an even better 2nd season in 2018, even reaching A+ for about 1/3 of the year. Despite battling some nagging injuries early on in 2019, he showed enough when getting healthy to advance to AA as a 20yr old. He then went to the AFL where he bounced around positionally due to the other talented players on the roster, and played and hit so well he was the AFL MVP! We have no idea how he looked or how much he learned and improved in 2020 at St Paul, or instructional league, but at least he was playing, getting coached, etc. At 21yr old he was primed to begin 2021 at AA with thoughts he would spend at least part of the year at AAA getting ready for 2022. That's pretty heady stuff for a 21yo! There is a very reasonable chance he is ready for instructs next fall. Which means there is a very reasonable chance he's ready for Wichita to begin 2022 and ready to go. No matter how talented, no matter belief in his skills and development, I've never bought in to the FACT he was going to be ready at 22yo in 2022 to be the opening day SS. Maybe he would have been. Water under the bridge. But that in any way his career is de-railed because he won't be ready until age 23 or 24 is nonsense. My $.02 And RX.

While obviously a Twins fan, a homer, and possessing a bit of an optimistic eye, I'd like to believe I can look at things with an eye that is also honest. I don't disregard the Dirty Sox first 3, but I think our top 3 match up in an equal basis. Add in what appears to be better depth from the 4 spot on down, I'd rank our staring staff a solid B+ as well. Maeda could and probably will regress some. But even with that he is a top flight SP. Keeping it simple, his ERA could blow up a 100 points and he'd still better than most unless his peripherals just sky rocketed. And I don't buy the IP concern some have. He topped 190 IP in Japan 5 times and 175+ twice. And while he only topped 175 IP once with the Dogers, he was also moved to the pen for depth every year beyond that. In fact, it could be argued that his arm has actually been saved some wear and tear as a result. Berrios has even better stuff and even better potential. Frankly, I constantly find myself frustrated at the lack of belief some have in the not yet 27yo. He's a 2 time All Star selection who's had some issues the 2nd half of his seasons, including each of those All Star years. I get it. But it feels like those 2nd halves are the only thing some people focus on, and not the flashes of greatness he has also displayed. In the 2nd half of 2019 he began the initial changes to his in-season routine to maintain better endurance. In other words, not following his normal and very rigid workout routine. And he actually finished 2019 strong after a couple poor outings. 2020 was going to be, hopefully, his best season to date as he and the Twins had laid the groundwork of change the previous year. We all know 2020 was odd for so many reasons! And ironically...reportedly making a few tweaks to his stuff...he finished stronger than he began the year. Still not 27yo until May I 100% believe we have yet to see the best of Berrios. I am not talking Cy Young, MVP or any additional hyperbole, but he is young, talented, dedicated and determined. As is, right now, I'd argue he'd fit in the top 3 of most any rotation in MLB. Pineda, after a bit of a ramp-up coming off surgery, was good to great in 2019 until his suspension. (Let's please not feel the need to re-visit speculation on that topic again). And he was good/great again in 2020 when back on the bump. The guy still has decent stuff, tons of experience, has made adjustments, knows how to pitch, and has been good/great with the Twins. The ONLY concern I have is a pair of interrupted seasons that might require the Twins to "nurse" him a bit to get 30 GS and 160+IP. I still may prefer Odorizzi over Happ. And I admit I didn't see that one coming. After a lot of reading and review and reflection, I really kinda like him as the #4. Guy is solid. Man, I HATE the "if healthy" caveat. It always seems to suck the energy out of the conversation. But every year there is someone who just "gets right" physically and does well. Shoemaker could be that guy in 2020. BUT...IF HEALTHY...he could be a steal as the #5 starter. We're talking a veteran #5 SP with quality numbers across the board when he is actually on the hill. This is exactly the kind of flier that should be taken for the end of the rotation. I like Dobnak. I think the Twins do also. Remember, good results for the most part and only 70+ IP thus far. I like Thorpe better...now that his head and body seem to be in order again...over Ober, but am not dismissing Ober as a possible contributor. Add in a couple live/electric arms that may be ready by the second half of the year, I like the depth here.

No Duran to start? I find that at least somewhat surprising.

Very nice! I'm excited!

Cody, this was a great OP and very relevant! I liked and agreed with just about everything with the exception of 2 items. 1] I found the Twins window being clearly open but perhaps closing fast inaccurate. More on that in a moment. 2] Probably should have included Cleveland in your examples. If ever there was a team that had a shot and short changed themselves, they would be it. You all know I'm opinionated and long-winded, LOL, but Cody's OP strikes at my Twins heart. So I'm going to TRY to be direct and not be TOO long winded. I live in Royals country here in Omaha. I totally appreciate the 2 teams that went all in and won one. What a thrill for their fans! But they went decades between championship teams. And now they are re-building yet again. As fantastic as the Dogers have been the last several years, all of their regular seasons and playoff appearances, and their $200M payroll, they still never won the WS until last year. With all their talent and $, do you realize they hadn't won the WS since 1988? And they had to beat the "upstart" and frugal Rays to do it. I am not dismissing anyone's opinion, but what would you rather have? A team that at least contends year to year and provides hope and opportunity to win? Or a team that blows up payroll and trades off talent for that one big season? There is no wrong answer. But for me, I want contention yearly. And that's what this FO has been talking about since DAY ONE. For those who want instant gratification...so to speak since its been a while since we won the BIG ONE just like the Dogers...it doesn't happen easily. The best chance you have is to compete yearly. So, bullet points: 1] Surprise! We've been winning! 2] The FO has done exactly what I hoped they would do for 2021. I prefer a long view of things, no matter how emotionally attached I am to the Twins. They filled holes and kept their eye on the prize with solid, smart additions without going nuts. A good, contending team with flexibility without signing long term deals or trading anyone away after a missed 2020 milb season. 3] While a few of us are old enough to remember the 80's and the number of pitching prospects we had then that NEVER turned out, we are 30+yrs removed from those days to realize this current crop is very different. And the FO and coaching changes are also very different. In all my years, I have NEVER been more excited and pleased about what I am seeing coming up! There's a reason, beyond the next CBA, the Twins have been looking at 1yr deals. They know what is coming up and they have the $ to bring someone back if they want. 4] Berrios has been treated well. There have been discussions about an extension. There is no animosity. This could be important for many reasons. We have a great number of arms ready or nearly ready. No reason why he can't be part of a great rotation for the next few years. The possibilities are endless right now. 5] Not only are there pitching options, there are position players and positional depth options and versatility to complete the roster. EXAMPLE: Sano at 1B, and a rotation of AK, Larnach, Kepler, Rooker and Sano at 1B, OF and DH. The window, IMO, is very much wide open right now! And it could be for 3-5 years plus if they just keep playing the smart card

I'm going to echo statements made here, as well as repeating myself from other threads previously. 1] The FO has drawn actual, public praise from agents to reporters for their professionalism in the past, especially recently from the 2020 milb season/fallout, FA contacts/negotiations to the recent arbitration process. While our FO COULD choose the play the service time game, there is ZERO reason to EXPECT that they will. But for some reason, it's just been assumed that they will. And that's just wrong at this time. 2] I fully appreciate all the work Matt put in to his arguements about potential value at late 20yr old value comparisons but completely dismiss it. (Though to be fair, he did state there is the possibility Kirilloff bucks his statistical trends as stated). I simply can't and won't dismiss value of a top 23yo prospect 6 or 7 years from now being an excellent player because others aren't. I just don't see any truism in that arguement. There are statistics, damn statistics, and lies. I disagree with, "To get this narrative right, and to shape the arguement properly, we need to premediate upon and look at these threads of of arguement now". The Twins love the kid and believe in him. The fact he was in St Paul and got his ONE GAME appearance in the playoffs proves that. And yes, he lost a year to injury and lost a covid year. Yes, he needs to prove himself, no matter how much the Twins love him and believe in him. But other pkayers have lost season's due to injury and all but a few lost the entire 2020 season. And if 2020 had been normal, he might be written in permanent ink for LF RIGHT NOW. But that's not what happened. 3] In ANY sport, you have a roster of players, college or professional. And you have an investment not only in playing your best players, but you have an investment in ALL of your players on that roster. Matt, I'm a huge fan and believer in Kirilloff. And I can't wait to see him play daily and start to rake and reach his potential. I'm sure you feel the same. And I hate to be THAT GUY, but I have to re-quote something you said: "He's only still waiting to crack the roster because last season was truncated, and because of injury issues earlier in his professional career." This only seems to restate the fact that maybe he shouldn't be HANDED the job out of ST. And I agree with you 100% that his play in ST will/should help determine the issue. But again, the Twins have an investment in Arraez and Rooker as well. And just taking a long and pragmatic view of that investment, don't those guys also deserve opportunity? (Leaving Cave out of the discussion because thus far he is what he is, a really nice 4th OF who might start for a lesser team). Can we just drop the service time issue for a moment and look at reality? (Meant for everyone). Arraez needs to play. Rooker not only needs to play, he's done nothing in his milb career or SSS at the ML level to indicate he can't play or doesn't deserve a chance. What is wrong...assuming for a moment that Khirilloff begins next season at St Paul...with letting AK "ramp up" and let others get their shot? For example, for a moment, think about a pro or college football team that has an incumbent WR/RB/QB but brought in a 5* recruit or top draft choice at the same position. There is an investment in the talent on hand. Do you just hand the job to the new guy whether he is ready or not? No. He earns the spot, either immediately or soon, or eventually. We just need to drop the whole service time issue and examine putting the best team on the field. That may mean Kirilloff being the #1 guy from day one. It could also mean, especially considering how crazy and weird 2020 was, that letting Arraez and Rooker get an opportunity to begin the season is the smart move. I'm of the hope Kirilloff is READY and has a great ST and forces the issue and rakes from day ONE and contends with Jeffers for ROY. (Interesting nobody has ever spoken about Jeffers being held back for service time. Why? Oh yeah, lack of depth and options) Service time may be a result, but it doesn't have to be a mitigating factor if we just approach the situation logically and ignore some rampant conspiracy that the Twins have no additional OF depth/options and are just playing a "potential" numbers game.

Me continuing to pretend I know anything: 1] The size, strength and stroke are all there for him to develop real power. He seems to have a good eye. Sounds a lot like Kirilloff doesn't it? I see no reason why he shouldn't continue to adapt through experience to be at least a little better at pulling the ball. But as stated by others previously, there is nothing wrong with having the ability to hit rockets to the opposite field and center field as well. 2] I've never heard anything that he can't be a solid defensive RF. Maybe not as good as Kepler, but solid. Reports are he has the arm for RF. Kirilloff is probably a little better athlete with a little more speed...he played some CF in HS and I believe a little when initially signed...and might be a better fit in LF where I believe there is a little more ground to cover. 3] While trades may yet happen, I've been pleased the FO seems to have fit team needs without trading talent at this point, even though there appears to be a pending logjam in the OF. And I'm starting to wonder if there might not be room for everyone with Cruz gone, possibly, after 2021. Kirilloff in LF, Larnach in RF, (though I'm sure each could play the other corner just fine), Rooker able to fill in at both corners as well as DH and 1B, where Kiriloff could also fill in. You still have Kepler in RF and backing up CF. There could absolutely be room for everyone rotating between 3 1/2 spots in the field and DH. Not saying that's the way it's going to play out but it's sure interesting to contemplate. The monkey wrench may be if Donaldson has to shift to 1B or DH. Hopefully that is not the case.

It was a fun and interesting podcast. Thank you, as always! Unfortunately, I was distracted and unable to post, but it was great! 1] The 2nd lineup is obviously the one that makes the most sense. And it was interesting how you came up with the first one! I forget who picked Kepler to bat leadoff initially. Seth? But loved how you all got stuck back peddling from there on, lol. A] Arraez and Polanco need to hit #1 to set the lineup and it's time for Kepler to move down with his power in to an RBI slot. B] Is Donaldson really best in the #2 slot? He's done well there in the past, but he's also performed very well in the 3-4 spots. I keep wondering if he and Donaldson wouldn't be better as the 3-4 hitters most days. C] Buxton will determine where he best fits by just being healthy and on the field. He could easily slide up a few spots. But I wonder if he might not be a better fit in the 9th spot BEHIND Simmons. I think back to old-school La Russa when he was in the NL and he would hit the pitcher 8th because he wanted a better bat in the 9 hole to flip the lineup. Not saying Buxton shouldn't hit 8th, or higher depending on how he is producing, just offering a little "out of the box" thinking. 2] Not sure I buy the 14 man staff with a 9 man pen. With options available, we've seen the Twins flip a couple guys here and there as needed in both 2019 and 2020. I haven't looked at the schedule yet, but have to assume there will be some off days early. And just like 2020, reinforcements will be literal minutes down the road for half the season. I think the extra bench player...whoever it may be...makes more sense, especially to get Arraez AND Rooker early season AB. 3] Is this the obligatory portion where we discuss LF yet again? Even if Kirilloff is on the opening day roster, there is room for Rooker. Just not another bench player. Said it before and will say it again, there is a difference in AK MASHES in ST vs getting a few weeks to ramp up and get ready and actually let Arraez and Rooker get those first few weeks to perform. Forgetting the service time B.S., what is wrong with letting those guys play and have opportunity? 4] Am I CRAZY GOOD about the pen? No. But do I like the pen? Yes. Duffey is great. I believe Rogers will rebound and be fine. How can you not be happy to have a proven arm like Colome added? Would I rather have May than Robles for an extra $4.5M? Yes. Despite a tendancy to give up some key hits and HR before settling down and SO the side, May mostly performed. He may or may not...no pun intended...reach a new level of consistency with the Mets. But why is everyone so down on Robles after 2020? He's a year younger and has produced fine numbers in his career that rival anything May has done. Pure velocity and SO potential, I think the Twins have great expectations for Alcala and even Colina as movers. Right now, LF is an intriguing development. One of Dobnak, Thorpe and Smeltzer will probably fill a long spot in the initial bullpen. (NOTE: I found your report about Johnson's comments regarding Thorpe interesting). And there is a large number of guys who could option in and out for the final spots in the pen. IF Kirilloff begins in St Paul, there is 1 bench spot available to begin the season. I'd still lay money on Astudillo at this point. But he has to earn that spot.

A few quick thoughts on the grades themselves: Detroit: IF they get the 2020 version of Grossman they have to be a C. He can be a solid table setter with a few RBI at the top of the order. KC: Agree on the C grade based on the Benintendi we've seen the last couple of seasons. Cleveland: "A" for effort and improvement...the kind of signing they should have made 2-3yrs ago...but the C+ is probably accurate. If Rosario hits to the same level as he bas the past couple of years, I would argue for a grade somewhere in the "B's". Dirty Sox: IMO, you can't discuss/examine Rosario's defense and not downgrade Jimenez for the same. I think a slight downgrade to B+ may be in order. Twins: INCOMPLETE. I fully appreciate the perspective presented here, but I'm calling the grade incomplete at this time as theee are too many things in motion right now to put any big, red letter at the top of the page. I think AK will be fine defensively, and I think he is going to be an outstanding offensive player. I'm still a little uncertain as to his AVG/OB skills vs pure power ceiling, but he's going to be a STUD. I agree Cave is a nice ballplayer and a fine 4th OF who gets a bad rap only because his offense has been streaky at times. Rooker has a chance to have a nice career as a bat first player who can play 3 spots as well as DH. Jury is still out, obviously, as to how good he can be. Arraez was handed an OF glove in 2019 and thrown out in to LF. All things considered, I didn't think he performed all that bad. Now he has time to actually work on the position to be at least passable in his new role. Kirilloff will be the guy soon, if not immediately. And I'm not going to rehash the service time issue as it's been done to death already and we don't even know if jts going to happen. But I will repeat that a few weeks at AAA to get going and let Arraez and Rooker get a shot isn't necessarily a bad thing. I wouldn't be shocked if AK is in the ROY conversation once the smoke clears however.

I know just enough about catching to be dangerous, but I have always maintained the most important part of the job was communication with the pitching staff, and just having the pitchers comfortable working with and throwing to their backstop. Think Suzuki when he was with the Twins. He didn't do anything special, but you always heard how the pitchers liked throwing to him. I think Jeffers has that "confidence" within himself and seems to invite that confidence. For the record I think Garver has grown tremendously in that area as well. The throwing portion of the position is nice, but the actual run game in MLB has largely disappeared. You still want a decent, accurate arm back there, but the best defense is still to not let those guys that do run get on base. I was immensely impressed watching Jeffers last year, especially considering he was not only jumping a level but wasn't even playing ball on a normal daily basis when he made his appearance. I don't know how good he could be, but he looks like a real keeper. I believe he will be a fine offensive player all the way around but am uncertain as to his ceiling. My only concern is SSS at this point and how does his offense play over a full season. Even if he shows some struggles...not saying he will...but it shouldn't dampen expectations for his future success. I will be disappointed if the Twins don't have the best 1-2 punch behind the plate in MLB for the next few years.

It says they are young-ish with some upside remaining and provide depth as well as a "maybe" about themselves. But all were waived just as ST started or just before, and by this time, 40 man rosters for each team are basically set. Had any of them been waived 2-4 weeks ago, any or all may have been picked up.

The service time issue is an eleohant in the room to be sure. But it only becomes one if Kirilloff has an outstanding ST and hits .500. Even then, let's not forget the service time issue is something agreed on by both the owners and the union. Yes, it will undoubtedly change going forward, but it exists TODAY. Further, it still depends on AK's ST, AND we don't even know if the FO will even play that card. But let's say they do. From a pure roster construction perspective it could make viable sense. Why not Arraez and Rooker to begin the year? Arraez needs to play 5 days a week and isn't Rooker a quality prospect? Didn't be show well in his initial appearance? You want the best and deepest team you can have. But aren't those two guys part of the equation? No matter how you slice it, no matter Kirilloff's future...which I think will be outstanding...a AAA jump-start to 2021 letting those guys get a chance is not a bad thing.

My apologies for the accidental double post.

Just some really quick math has his last 6yr quad slash line at the following: .279/ .328/ .377/ .705 He is not an amazing hitter or a power threat to be sure. But his overall numbers since his initial indoctrination to MLB have improved. At 31yo I get that quickness and speed may slip somewhat. But experience also helps compensate for any slowing of reactions. So I am a bit confused when we talk about his defense sliding as a 31yo. (Not exactly an old man by today's standards, especially with nutrition and training, etc). But if true, and there is any slip, we're talking about elite defense, maybe the best defensive SS in the last 15-20 years, to very good at worst? Sign me up!

That's only because you've been here before.

I've been a Kepler fan and hopeful believer for some time now. He's a smooth athlete with a nice swing and I think what we saw in 2019 was his real potential. And I think its time for him to move down lower in the order for an RBI slot. I don't know that 2021 is really a make or break season for him as 2020 was a strange year for a lot of guys, but there have been enough holes in his performance here and there to suggest he is replaceable in the near future if a return to 2019 levels/production don't take place. It had never occurred to me until this OP, that Kepler's contract was so manageable he could have an important role still, even if he became more of a 4th OF/platoon player. Is there room for all 5 of Kirilloff, Buxton, Kepler, Larnach and Rooker? Perhaps there is. But I would speculate a trade of someone would take place in the future still.

Work and life got in the way for me to comment on Balazovic's prospect thread, but no matter since they are somewhat entwined in the rankings anyway. Right now, today, I'd rank Duran slightly higher than Jordy Blaze because he has a bit more experience at the higher levels, has a bit more velocity, and his "splinker" is just crazy good. But we're cutting fine hairs here. Both now have the build and the velocity and STUFF to be very good pitchers. BOTH need to just harness control/consistency overall, including that 3rd or 4th pitch, and just gain additional experience. NOTE: Any 4th pitch doesn't have to be outstanding, and can be worked on even at the ML level, but even a mediocre/decent 4th offering can be important just to keep the hitter guessing. I am a tremendous opptomist about both these guys, as well as Chalmers, Canterino, Sands and Enlow, amongst a few others. But calls for Balazovic to open with the team are just misguided. How about working on his stuff and getting some IP under his belt before we annoit him with a spot. The ML rotation is basically set with some competition for the 5th spot. That's the way it should be. Over a full season, there is going to be opportunity and depth will be needed. There is a real chance that Duran and/or Balazovic will get an opportunity at some point. And since we are talking about young pitchers, sorry, not sorry, don't sleep on Dobnak and Thorpe and even Smeltzer. SOMEONE is probably going to have a long relief spot initially and get chances to start. Don't dismiss what Dobnak has done despite a bad end to 2020. Only 77IP and some want to dismiss him already with a bad finish last year? Thorpe has done EVERYTHING you could expect in his milb career and hope for, especially after 2 missed seasons and some flash in 2019. But he's a bum with an additional option because 2020 was a mess? Please! Smeltzer has shown enough in his milb career and his 2019 ML appearance to give him some rope. Any of these 3 could contribute in 2021, and none of them should be easily dismissed for their potential as a rotation piece or a bullpen option for 2021 or going forward. I've been churning around pitching options for days now at the ML level as well as AAA and AA. I'm sure many of you have as well. Assuming, for a moment, everyone is healthy and ready to go to at least start the season. ONE of Dobnak, Thorpe, Smeltzer is probably the last pitcher, the long man on the staff, which will fluctuate of course, but provide depth and opportunity. There is a real chance Duran gets a shot at some point. Maybe Balazovic. Maybe someone else. But again, since we are talking prospects within the system, consider this list of SP for AAA and AA to begin the 2021 season: AAA: Duran Ober Thorpe Dobnak Smeltzer Jax AA: Balazovic Canterino Winder Sands Enlow Chalmers Barnes Sammons A couple of these guys are certainly a wait and see and may never make a ML roster. But most of these guys are top 10-20 on the prospect list. Or are guys who have had their initial cup of coffee and we're waiting to see. Duran and Balazovic are at the top of the list to be sure! But There is some serious depth here not to be slept on.

I've met a handful of Twins fans here and there over the years in Omaha. The only ones I actually KNOW are my dad and myself, lol. So perhaps you are more plugged in to fellow Twins fans than I am. I think it's been 15-20 years since the Twins had a AAA franchise visit here. I believe it was the Portland days IIRC. Werner is a really nice stadium and I've been there a few times on the 1B side. Stinks only because the sun is a bite the first few innings. Told my dad we will have to get tickets on the 3B side behind the visitor's dugout so we can wave Twins hats and give shout outs, lol. Never watched a game in a suite. Sounds fun! Is it better than being in the stands? We can do a PM in the future to look at games and connect. Maybe a few other fans from around the area would journey in for a game???