strumdatjag

I looked at the Marlins blog. The most notable thing is that Lopez is viewed as injury prone with a bum right shoulder. Last year was the first year where he did not lose time to that injury. The reaction from Marlins fans is mostly negative, thinking they gave up too much with the two prospects, especially Salas. They think the Marlins needed more power than Arraez will offer.

Thanks for the article - Mincher should be remembered for his solid seasons with the Twins and especially for his contributions to the 1965 World Series team.

I would have rather seen pitching prospects. But Salas is nice enough.

The Twins have an abundance of very good infield prospects while the amount of top starting pitching prospects is lower than preferred. I like Lewis for all the reasons already stated, but the Twins should consider good offers of pitching for infield prospects and/or left handed outfielders.

Reasons why: 1. He won the NL Cy Young in 2020. 2. He can be signed for the MLB minimum. 3. If he acts up or doesn’t produce (after a 2 year layoff), he can be DFAed without a big financial hit. I have more!

Some here are upset that Emilio Pagan is returning. But, consider this, for the second year, the Twins will be able to have a Pagan attend Faith Day. Bring your own golden calf.

Correct. But he was never known as the G-Man (Rollins not Rollings). Today, there are many RICH players but very few named “RICH”. The Twins had both RICH Rollins and RICH Reese on the same teams.

The article lets us know where Tony Gwynn played, but it would be nice for some of the younger TD readers to know where Rich Rollins (who never had a “g”) played.

How did he escape Cuba?

I believe one of the pitchers you named won the NL Cy Young in 2020. Sign him.

The Twins should be open to a trade for one or two of their lefty outfielders. Unfortunately, they need to stock their minor leagues with more pitching prospects. A trade of MLB caliber players for prospects will not excite the TD faithful, but it is needed and opens up spots on the 40 man roster. The pitching pipeline at below AAA is just a trickle.

I just hope the Twins don’t strain my eyes with little unreadable numbers - like they did on the last screen!!!

I predicted the “what about-ism” premise would be raised. - just didn’t think it would be in the subsequent post. Comparisons to other “less liked” players can help question the importance of clubhouse comraderie. Comparisons also expose double standards for one type of bad conduct vs another kind. Bottom line: the Twins need an ace starting pitcher and can find out if Bauer still is an ace for a cheap price. I think they should do it and have a very short leash ready.

OK. What about Ron LeFlore? He was sent to prison for Armed Robbery and then had a good mlb career. Oh, we need everyone to be Mr Congeniality in the clubhouse? Then, what about all those years with AJ Pierzynski behind the plate and in the clubhouse - as Ozzie Guillen said, when he’s on your team, you hate him less. And finally, what about Carlos Correa himself? He was a fixture on the Trashcan cheating Astros. That was obviously one of the reasons he had fewer suitors and settled for less money in this venture for a Dior contract. I like this deal, but let’s not pat ourselves too much for being so virtuous. And don’t get started about “what-aboutisms.”” How else are double standards illustrated?

OK - I have another example of taking a chance on someone who many MLB teams would not - Carlos Correa. There has been little discussion here in recent days about how the fan base of many other teams would not accept Carlos Correa., because of the cheating during his days with the Astros. Those teams (including the Dodgers) were not in a bidding war for CC. With Pete Rose as a precedent, the standard rule has been that bad conduct affecting the game baseball directly is viewed more harshly. I support signing CC to THIS contract, but Twins fans shouldn’t pat themselves on the back for high morals standards and virtue here either.

I don’t think those who oppose signing Trevor Bauer would look at the definition and disagree - A person easily made to feel disgusted, especially by unpleasant images. It is clear that some (many) here would be easily disgusted by the image of Trevor Bauer in a Twins uniform. But he probably fills their biggest remaining need, and at a dirt cheap price. He has every reason to be on his best behavior (but I understand - Is he capable of controlling himself?). I would support signing him for the MLB minimum and then DFA if he acts up or is unproductive. There have been athletes with serious, repeated, personal issues who have cleaned up and thrived later in their careers. Consider Josh Hamilton in baseball, and Jared Allen for our local football team. This is a risk worth taking, considering the Twins’ shortterm needs - starting pitching and affordability.

Purely from a un-moralistic, baseball standpoint - after the signing of Carlos Correa, the Twins biggest need this year is a stud starting pitcher. Trevor Bauer may or may not be that guy after his layoff. But the Twins can sign him on the cheap If he is a clubhouse cancer, not contributing on the field or engages in illegal conduct, they can DFA him. He has much more upside than Steve Howe on his sixth and seventh chance. Bauer is the potential last piece to a World Series team - sign him NOW!!! Then trade some of our surplus lefties or maybe even Arraez or Farmer and start stocking our minor leagues with more starting pitching prospects. This team needs more depth there for the next six years with CC and Buxton a company..

Chris Paddack is also in the mix when he returns from Tommy John surgery sometime during the year. Still, I would like the Twins to acquire an ace. The squeamish here will balk at Trevor Bauer, but he has the upside to boost this rotation. Admit this at least, Twins Daily will be a more interesting place to visit if he is added. Trevor Bauer is nowhere near the number of second chances that the Twins gave to Steve Howe!!!!

This is a lot to spend but it’s for a special player in his prime years, at least for the first 2/3rds of the contract. Keep Arraez and Farmer, but trade one or two of the lefty outfielders, maybe Arraez and more for young, stud starter - until then - Line-up: Arraez (DH), Correa (SS), Kirilloff (1B), Buxton (CF), Gallo (RF), Miranda (3B), Polanco (2B), Vazquez (C), Gordon (LF) I like that this is not a ridiculously long contract.

As a fairness-identifying fan: I have only one question: Should we presume him guilty when prosecutors who are more knowledgeable of the facts and merits of the case have declined to prosecute? Those prosecutors reviewed all of the reports, and had access to the witnesses. If the evidence is that flimsy, then the Twins should consider signing Bauer to a contract. At his best, Trevor Bauer is an ace.

Can’t figure out how to delete. So, I’ll say that I’m not embarrassed by the FO. I believe the Correa Saga shows why they have been prudent and smart in avoiding these longterm, big money contracts. Maybe at a more reasonable price, Correa is a great asset. But I don’t want to see the Twins make a Bobby Bonilla move.

3 Twins 2 Vikings. There is a Purple T-Shirt with the Vikes’ logo and the words “Just Once Before I Die”.

The Twins should have numerous contenders for comeback player of the year - Buxton, Maeda ..,

It makes more sense to play just one division in the other league. MLB is going to regret their new “everybody plays everybody” system, when teams have to travel like crazy to make up rainouts.

Sonny Gray is a nice piece of the rotation. But the Twins gave up a big pitching prospect on Chase Petty. Petty is 19 years old and already pitched High A ball last year. I’m disappointed in the current numbers of quality pitching prospects in the pipeline.