Doomtints

Right. If the dude was whining or moping or angry or whatever else so much that he can't play, bench him......

2017 was a massive down year for the AL. The 2017 Twins and the 2018 Twins were not very different. The difference in where the teams finished was the market conditions.

What's it called again when someone keeps doing the same thing expecting a different result? I forget.

I used to be a member of SABR. What follows is the verbatim response I got when I would reach out to any of the members of the SABR metrics group:

I disagree. I have a metric that would only require a few weeks of data, but I need to build it out as a proof of concept (i.e., compare run it against real data) -- and who the heck has time these days? It won't require 3 years of data, it will require the same amount of time as batting statistics to be relied upon.

I don't understand the point of DRC+. There are half a dozen uber stats for offense already (many of which are pretty good) and we still have defensive metrics that need three years of data to "work."

If this is true, running the Twins is the worst job in any sport. This is more of the same. Don't fund stadiums for people who try to fold the team.

This also means Astudillo is blocked, but the Twins will hold that carrot out through spring training anyway.

I think we knew all along it would be Schoop.

The Twins got two more!

Adrianza is a backstop player who can fill in, primarily defensively, in a pinch. He won't embarrass himself offensively (unlike the Twins purported future stars can do, btw). He's the guy you keep behind the emergency glass. Is he replaceable? Yes, but the Twins know him. There's not much point in bringing in someone new to fulfill the same role. I'm amazed he OP managed to write so many words about him. That's true writing skill that I don't possess. Very impressive. Imagine what Tom can write about a really good player!

As others have said, his skill set is just too narrow. The Twins finally have a competent outfield and he's not DH material. If he could play defense competently this would be a different conversation. He hit better than anyone would have dreamed of as a Twin.

Cron is poor at defense in an infield that is already lacking. He will probably be the primary DH. This is fine, he can hit well. Austin is still on the table at 1B, as are other options.

.330 BABIP isn't too far out of line. I don't see that number as a red flag. But yes, the team needs some OBP guys now... not that Molitor ever used OBP guys properly anyway... maybe the new guy will.

There's a lot of interesting stuff going on this year. Fortunately or not, this will help the Twins "let's not go crazy with the spending" plan.

That's insane so it's probably true.

Also, I'm thinking the Rays waived Cron because his defense isn't good, thus making him less valuable. He played half his games last year at DH, so the Rays didn't necessarily trust him out there. The Twins might be bringing him on to be the primary DH, not the primary 1B. Note that Cron is a better hitter when in the DH slot. Thus, the convos around here about Cron's offense are, in my eyes, on the wrong track completely. Cron's problem is his defense, which is particularly problematic on a team with Sano and Polanco also in the infield......

Cron will be the cornerstone -- cornercron if you will -- of the 2021 Twins Championship. See you there!

Maybe Levine or Falvey said that. However, Pohlad said that just because money is coming off the books does not mean that same money is available to spend. Obviously we will see what happens. Just by the nature of the holes the team has I think they will have to open the wallet a bit, but it won't be $125M. My guess is that payroll will go down if only to appease the guy who signs the checks, the question is how much will it go down? I don't think the drop will be too jarring, but who knows.

That's true. My first reaction to Park was, why? The Twins had 1Bs and DHs of equal or better value.

Did Zach Jones have 3-4 years of solid MLB experience at that time?

After what Pohlad said this seems $10-$15M too high.

He is a bargain for the price point regardless of the cons. There is no way he would have slipped through waivers. The Twins got lucky here if he simply performs at his career levels. If he continues his growth, this was a steal. I bet if we look at some Rays forums, we will find a few "wtf!" comments.

Park made his mark by teeing off on 85-87 mph fastballs. He was never going to make it in the US. I'm betting a at least a couple of Cron's home runs (and hits) were on pitches that were coming at him just a wee bit faster.

Teams to to sell high all the time.The Twins were trying to shop Dozier as if he would hit 40 home runs again, and of course he didn't. It's hard to make a cogent response to this question really, because we saw the Twins try to do the same thing very recently and I know you can remember it. Dozier isn't expensive and the Twins still couldn't unload him at his peak because everyone was rightfully skeptical of his 1-year jump.