Ted Schwerzler

In August, it was announced that Fanatics had acquired licensing rights for trading cards from Major League Baseball. The trading card landscape was set to change, with Topps being the longstanding license holder. As of today, we have clarity on what it may look like. When Fanatics acquired the MLB license, the end of Topps making licensed trading cards would be seen following the 2025 season. However, the MLBPA license was set to expire following the 2022 season, which would have put an end to Topps using images or likenesses of any active players after this season. Effectively, when the calendar turned to 2023, Topps’ only available brand would’ve been their Bowman product. For collectors, this was unfortunate given the power of Topps as a brand and the uncertainty of Fanatics in the trading card space. For a few months, there were rumblings and posturing from Fanatics. They had been looking into creating a marketplace to create, sell, grade, and ultimately own the card collecting space. Those tied to Fanatics have invested in a handful of different avenues with ties to the collectibles world, and fans were left wondering what was next. It always seemed logical that acquiring the Topps brand made sense, and it would undoubtedly drive sales more than a Fanatics branded trading card. While months have gone by, the hopeful outcome has come to fruition. As reported by The Athletic’s Evan Drellich, Fanatics is set to acquire Topps in an announcement made public Tuesday. The deal is just for Topps’ trading card division, leaving the candy side and other assets untouched, and is reported to be worth $500 million. Fanatics also will own sole licensing of NBA (2026) and NFL (2027), which makes this purchase interesting for collectors. Panini America has held those exclusive rights in recent years, and Topps has not created branded basketball or football cards. Under this new acquisition, that presumably will change. For collectors, this is the best news possible. Fanatics owns a monopoly over trading cards now, and they will also have arguably the most powerful brand in the space. Topps can be applied to baseball, basketball, and football trading cards under one umbrella. It remains to be seen what Fanatics will do with the brand and how they will distribute trading cards, but there’s plenty of room for growth. While Topps has been a juggernaut in design and popularity throughout its existence, the most significant areas of problem have been distribution channels and customer service. Whether dealing with inept ways to put products directly in the hands of consumers or dealing with an endless cycle of non-answers on redemptions and other problem situations, Topps’ downfall has always been post-launch. Ideally, Fanatics can revamp this experience and pair it with the branding power they now will own. What once looked like an uncertain or unpleasant future has now revealed itself as a possible best-case scenario for those who love sports cards. I’m not sure about you, but Topps Chrome basketball or Topps Finest football is something I’m ready to see again. Being able to continue collecting baseball with continuity is also a great thing. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook, or email View full article

Last season the Minnesota Twins saw Jose Miranda go from being passed over in the Rule 5 draft to having a season worthy of placing him within the organization’s top 10. Not all prospects are built the same, and despite their current ranking, it’s worth taking note of guys who may surprise you in the year ahead. When he blew up, Miranda was outside the top 15 on virtually all Twins prospect lists and barely within the top 30 on others. It’s a bit rare that a meteoric rise occurs, but there are prospects all over the Minnesota system capable of notable 2022 seasons. While their situations may differ, the talent taking over once the games get going seems like a pretty good bet. Royce Lewis Now 22-years-old and playing for the first time in two years, the time has certainly gotten the better part of the former number one overall pick. We last saw Lewis in the Arizona Fall League at the end of 2019, and he tore up the competition. After a disappointing season that resulted in just a .661 OPS between High-A and Double-A, that was nice to see. The leg kick and swing path have been highly discussed, as has his case to stick at shortstop or move into the outfield. Regardless of the talking points, it will be nice to see the Twins top prospect back on the field, and I’d bet on his maturity and talent taking over. Give me a focused Lewis producing in a big way this season to remind pundits why he was raved about for so long. Simeon Woods-Richardson The second piece brought to the Twins in their swap of Jose Berrios, Woods-Richardson was well regarded and a popular trade target. He posted just a 5.91 ERA in 2021 and gave up six earned runs in eight innings within Minnesota’s system. It certainly wasn’t a great debut, but plenty was going against him following the trade. He played for Team USA in the Olympics, but played should be used loosely as he never made an appearance. Shutting down his workload in the middle of a season for that long created a significant road back and ultimately created a less-than-ideal situation. He’s talented and has been ranked highly because of it. The strikeout stuff should be expected to return in 2022, and seeing Woods-Richardson dominate en route to a Major League Debut would be far from unexpected. Misael Urbina Playing in his age-20 season for 2022, Urbina was stateside for the first time in 2021. He posted just a .585 OPS in the Complex League, but the 82/54 K/BB rate is where things get exciting. It’s clear he has a strong sense of plate discipline, and with another year of training as he grows into his body, Urbina’s ceiling continues to be worthy of dreaming on. There’s a substantial speed and power combination here, and playing centerfield is something he looks natural doing. I’d be far from shocked in the upcoming year, isn’t his coming out party. Spencer Steer If you haven’t been keeping tabs on Steer, it’s been time for a while. A third-round pick in 2019, Steer has posted OPS numbers north of .800 each of the past two seasons. Last year he blew up for 24 homers and posted a .409 OBP at High-A Cedar Rapids. Steer is now 24 and likely not going to be a Major League All-Star, but he has shown the makings of a solid regular. Utilizing the 2021 season, Steer could make his start at Double-A in 2022 a short one and be knocking on the door from St. Paul. Kala’i Rosario A fifth-round pick in 2020, Rosario didn’t get his opportunity to make a pro debut until last season due to Covid. However, he didn’t disappoint and posted a .793 OPS as an 18-year-old in the Complex League. His five homers in just 188 at-bats were nice to see, and there’s plenty of room for the plate discipline to take a step forward. Rosario is a corner outfielder, and his calling card will never be defense, so the bat needs to play, but the exciting part is that it looks the part so early. Getting into full-season ball this year, I’d be far-from-shocked if Rosario doesn’t immediately turn heads and see two promotions over the course of the year. What other prospects do you see worthy of keeping a particularly close eye on this season? MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook, or email View full article

After getting through the starting rotation and the bullpen, it’s finally time to look at the Minnesota Twins lineup. They were the reason for heightened expectations in 2021, and at the beginning, the reason for a slow start. How can the holdovers turn the tide in 2022? It was all but expected that the Twins would address their pitching in the offseason. New rotation arms were needed, and the group as a whole flopped. However, when you fall as far as Minnesota did, it isn’t a one-faceted issue. The offense ranked 18th in baseball in terms of fWAR. That’s a drop from 9th in 2020 and 4th when the Bomba Squad exploded in 2019. The good news is that much of that contingent is still present. Here’s how some of them can right the ship: Miguel Sano Posting just a .778 OPS last season, Sano did improve on his 2020, but that still leaves plenty to be desired after owning a .923 OPS in 2019. You’re going to get a boatload of strikeouts from Miguel, but the power is also going to play. His problem isn’t chasing, as he does have good plate discipline. When the bat meets the ball, it’s also done with some of the best hard-hit rates in the game. Sano’s issue has been timing and velocity, something that’s pretty substantial to overcome. He did post an .817 OPS after May and an .824 OPS after July. Both of those numbers will play, and for a guy in the final year of his contract, putting up in a big way would be nice to see. Max Kepler and Trevor Larnach These two are linked in that Kepler’s situation somewhat determines Larnach’s. Max put up an .855 OPS in 2019 and has otherwise underwhelmed at the plate. He consistently does less with what looks like more ability, and the defensive acumen is what saves his value. Maybe he’s traded at some point, but if he’s playing for Minnesota, some sort of higher production at the dish needs to happen. Elevate the baseball and let the contact prowess do the work. For Larnach, it’s about adjustments and settling in during year two. He played 79 games and tallied an 88 OPS+. There were moments where it looked like it may click, but then things never got right after going back to Triple-A. The former first-round pick has always looked like a good bet to hit, and this being the year it starts would be welcomed. Alex Kirilloff After debuting during a Postseason game in 2020, Alex Kirilloff made his official MLB debut in 2021. While dealing with nagging wrist issues again, he played in just 59 games for the Twins and owned a .722 OPS. The power production seemed sapped, which would be a disappointment in the long term. Kirilloff can focus on establishing himself as a regular for the year ahead. He can be a lineup mainstay with the bat, whether mixing in next to Byron Buxton or playing first base. Getting confidence going with a strong start and parlaying it into consistent success could have him quickly looking like a true star. Ryan Jeffers Last season, Rocco Baldelli was expected to have one of the best catching tandems in baseball. Mitch Garver was once again a beast at the plate but dealt with injuries that kept him out of the lineup. Jeffers was expected to be a bat-only prospect and has turned himself into a defensive stalwart, but the bat wasn’t there in 2020. The 119 OPS+ from 2020 dropped to just 83 last season. Catchers don’t necessarily need to hit, but Minnesota would benefit from Jeffers being an asset at the plate and behind it. He’s too good to repeat the 2021 performance, and finding a nice middle ground would lengthen the lineup. Jose Miranda There’s very little Miranda could do to put up better numbers than he did in the minors during 2021. Expecting him to come in as a rookie and blast 30 dingers simply isn’t going to happen. What is necessary here is that the young prospect takes it all in stride. Miranda can spell Josh Donaldson at third base and play second and first. He should be expected to hit after the showing a season ago, but tempered expectations and a learning period can’t allow for the confidence to waver. Unprotected going into the Rule 5 draft last season, this looks like found money, and guiding it for the best opportunity to cash in is a must. That’s a group of 15 or so players we’ve now looked at that can focus in an area or two with an eye on pushing the Twins upward in 2022. Now, we just need the sport to return and get going. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

Continuing the theme of keying in on current assets and their focus for the season ahead, the Twins next area to come under fire for 2022 resolutions is the bullpen. The group wasn’t as expected last season, as was the case for most of the team as a whole, but where do we go from here? After ranking 24th as a whole when it came to pitching in 2021, the Minnesota Twins were 20th in terms of fWAR for just relievers. While slightly better than the starting staff being 25th, relief efforts took a significant step backward last year. In 2020 Wes Johnson coached the 2nd-best bullpen in baseball, and his group was 3rd overall in 2019. Getting back to that level is where things need to be focused for 2022. How can we get there? New Years Resolutions: Starting Pitching Taylor Rogers He’s here because he’s the best thing Minnesota’s bullpen has going. They could’ve decided to non-tender him if there was fear Rogers’ injury situation was grave, but that doesn’t appear to be reality. He was named an All-Star for the first time and got to show up for the game in his home state. In 2020 Rogers didn’t benefit from a season that allowed his numbers to normalize. In 2021, his 2.13 FIP was the best number of his career, and the strikeout rate was unmatched. If there’s something that Rogers needs to do in 2022, it’s be healthy and repeat as a dominant force. Lefties this good don’t grow on trees, and the Twins have one. Cody Stashak Once looking like a substantial bullpen piece, Stashak fell off the tracks significantly last year. He posted a 25/1 K/BB in his first 25 big-league innings and followed that up with a 17/3 K/BB in 15 innings during 2020. In 2021 Stashak had a 26/10 K/BB, and his ERA ballooned to 6.89. The homers and hits didn’t get out of whack, and his FIP was still solid at 3.62. In short, the pitcher he once was is still there, and we’re still dealing with a small sample size as a whole. Minnesota needs Stashak to again be a high command, big strikeout arm that can pitch in the middle innings. Tyler Duffey It wasn’t that Duffey was awful in 2021, but the pitcher Duffey became in 2019, and 2020 looked a whole lot different. Although Duffey did allow the lowest home run rate of his career, he also walked four batters per nine, easily a career-high, and his strikeouts dropped below double-digits per nine. Duffey is now 31, and while his velocity isn’t what it was in 2019, it did stay consistent from a year ago. Adding back to that number or staying consistent is a must. Generating chase swings again on his curveball has to happen, and if it’s not coming by pairing fastball velocity, then sequencing and tunneling are avenues he can further explore. Jorge Alcala We’ve been waiting for Alcala to break out over a whole year for a while. It looked like it would happen in 2021 after a strong showing in 2020. Pitching in nearly 60 innings last year, Alcala sat with a 5.54 ERA through his first 42 appearances. From there, he made 18 more appearances and tallied a 0.87 ERA and a 26/3 K/BB. That stretch was dominant and where Minnesota needs him to come out starting the season. At 26, Alcala isn’t exactly young anymore, but he certainly could be coming into his own. Juan Minaya This is maybe less about Minaya than the concept of his addition. The Twins did a good job finding the former White Sox arm as they also did with Danny Coulombe. Minaya contributed 40 innings with a 2.48 ERA. He’s always walked too many guys, but the strikeouts were there. Jharel Cotton was claimed by Minnesota, while Ralph Garza Jr. was a late-season addition. It’d be great for the Twins to hit on a handful of these types, especially if they aren’t going to add a higher tier reliever or two. At this point, these aren’t non-roster guys, and being correct on a few wouldn’t hurt. We’re now through the pitching side of things and will turn it over to the bats for the final installment. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

In the final week of 2021, it’s time to turn the page. Derek Falvey fell short. Rocco Baldelli fell short. The Minnesota Twins fell short. To set for better outcomes in the year ahead, we can look internally at opportunities for improvement. There’s no better place to start than on the mound. The Minnesota Twins pitching staff was 24th in baseball when combining all arms, and the starters alone were a spot lower at 25th. There’s no denying that the group needs to be much better, and right now, the group is made up of three arms. There’s more depth behind them, and there’s a man in charge that once led a strong rotation. That’s where much of this focus should come. Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober These two need to establish that they are solid major-league starters. They looked the part a year ago, and continuing that growth in 2022 is a must. Ryan made just a handful of starts but held his own, even looking dominant at times. Ober saw teams multiple times and was able to make adjustments. When looking at the farm last winter, both would have been unexpected contributors, and that’s the kind of breakouts any organization loves to have. Dylan Bundy Proving he’s not 2021 bad would be a great start. The former top prospect is not the 3.29 ERA he posted in 2020, but he’s also not the 6.06 ERA he had a season ago. For what Minnesota paid him, and where the Twins need him in the rotation, Bundy being a low 4.00 ERA guy is a must. The strikeouts need to move back up over one per inning and allowing two longballs per nine can’t continue to be a thing. There’s a solid pitcher here and maybe a very good one in terms of a mid-rotation arm. Find that. Wes Johnson Back to the overall numbers of this starting staff. Johnson coached his group last season to the fifth-worst finish in baseball. In 2020, the Twins staff was the third-best. In 2019, the rotation came in fourth. Johnson has shown an ability to work with pitchers and get the most out of them. Michael Pineda became arguably the best version of himself, Kenta Maeda took steps forward, and something was made out of nothing in a couple of situations. Johnson is seen as a velocity savant but can impact much more than that. Minnesota may have the least talented group they’ve had during his tenure when 2022 starts, but Wes getting more out of each of them remains a must. Randy Dobnak You don’t make it to the majors by mistake, and you certainly don’t start a Postseason game by luck. Dobnak’s 7.64 ERA last season was as much his ineffectiveness as it was Minnesota’s indecisiveness. Having worked entirely as a starter during 2020, Dobnak was used as one in less than half his appearances a year ago. The talk of velocity boosts and missed bats in Spring Training was never present, and I’d imagine his confidence was consistently shaken with no set role. Work him back as a starter, implore him to get the job done, and utilize him the same way that bore fruit previously. Stay tuned for the next installment, where the bullpen comes under fire. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

The Minnesota Twins have 38 players on their 40 man roster, and the most glaring hole is in the starting rotation. They’re missing at least two pieces and have $40 million or so to spend. So let’s go crazy. They need to spend…on a bat. If you’ve been reading Twins Daily lately, I hope you haven’t missed Nick Nelson's piece on the front office avoiding free-agent starters. Derek Falvey has largely missed on the names he’s targeted, and he’s sat out on most of them. Length has been this club’s sticking point, and as Nick points out, it’s also been the track record of this front office. Cleveland sustained winning through pitching. The arms were developed internally, inexpensively, and near-peak of their projections. Given the success Falvey has seen using this blueprint and operating with the same parameters that Minnesota is not a sought-after destination, it’s understandable for him to get creative. That leaves opportunity on the trade market, like sending a high-end reliever in Brusdar Graterol to the Dodgers for an established arm like Kenta Maeda. I believe at least one trade will bring in a top-of-the-rotation starter, but dollars still need to be allocated. How about looking at this route. Come on down, Kris Bryant. Going into 2021, I had made a couple of points to suggest dealing for the former Cubs third basemen made a lot of sense. He can play left field and first base and had just a year left on his deal while fully intending to hit free agency. Minnesota declined, and the San Francisco Giants utilized him for their stretch run. Now a free agent, Bryant is a better fit for the Twins than you imagine. Even with the Cubs manipulation of the Vegas natives’ service time, Bryant will play 2022 at just 30 years old. His “injuries” have been largely overstated in that he’s missed significant time in just two of his seven big league seasons. When healthy, he’s been among the best in the sport. Coming off a 2021 in which he posted an .835 OPS with 25 homers, Bryant flashed his versatility played every position except for second base and catcher. He’s best suited on the corners, either in the infield or outfield, and that’s where the fit lies with the Twins. Josh Donaldson was mostly fine last season, posting an .827 OPS. He played in 135 games but was immediately on the Injured List with a leg issue to start the season. Donaldson needed significant time in the designated hitter spot to be eased back in, and he’s now another year older. Luis Arraez plays second base for Minnesota, but not well, and has bulky knees. Jose Miranda has forced his way into time, but that could come anywhere. What version of Miguel Sano shows up in his final contract year remains to be seen. Alex Kirilloff figures to play more first base than anything, and Trevor Larnach’s rebound is uncertain. Maybe the most significant linchpin here is if and when Max Kepler is moved. That’s a ton of moving pieces, but just one (with Kepler being the most likely), needs to be moved for a perfect set of musical chairs. Spending on bats seems to be much more fruitful on the free-agent market, and giving Bryant a three-to-five-year deal may be enough to have him call Twins Territory home. This lineup should already do plenty of damage when on, and adding Bryant to it only helps to supplement a pitching staff that would leave plenty to be desired. Spending dollars on his bat gets easier as the top of the Twins farm assumes rotation spots, and his versatility doesn’t hamstring any single player. With the Giants interested in retaining his services, the Seattle Mariners lurking, and Scott Boras angling for the biggest deal, there’s plenty of reasons this won’t happen before even considering the Twins. That all being said, the fit is there, and spending needs to happen regardless. Rather than continuing to do nothing with the funds freed up in trading Jose Berrios, it certainly makes sense to grab a player of impact instead of spreading them out between roster filler. Kris Bryant doesn’t pitch, and he isn’t a shortstop, but somehow this still seems to work. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Order the Offseason Handbook — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

Going into the 2021 Major League Baseball season, the Minnesota Twins were expected to contend for another American League Central Division title. They flopped, and nothing went as expected. What if the front office is leaning on rebuilding the confidence in guys already in the clubhouse? Right now, we sit in the midst of a lockout with no end in sight and no moves on the horizon. Before the shutdown, Minnesota’s only move of consequence was in signing starter Dylan Bundy to a one-year deal. The rotation remains bare, but at this point, the free-agent market could be categorized as roughly the same. Short of signing Carlos Rodon to a deal, Minnesota will get better by swapping assets rather than paying for them. With that in mind, it could be believed that much of the talent at Rocco Baldelli’s disposal in 2022 already has a spot on the roster. Minnesota currently has just two spots open on their 40 man roster, although there’s undoubtedly possible maneuvering that could take place. Those on the 40 man, though, especially on offense, make up a group expected to produce a year ago. Jorge Polanco turned in a strong year in which he bounced back from injuries and looked the part of his 2019 self. Cemented as the second basemen (hopefully), the goal would be for others to join him. Byron Buxton was an MVP candidate but played in just 61 games. Luis Arraez played in only 121 games and hit below .300 for the first time in his three big-league seasons. Miguel Sano started incredibly cold before finding his stride. Although Josh Donaldson produced, his .827 OPS was boosted mainly by a stretch surge. Alex Kirilloff didn’t acclimate as expected, and Trevor Larnach didn’t deliver. Mitch Garver was limited, and Ryan Jeffers took a step backward. Maybe Max Kepler isn’t on the Opening Day roster, but the hope would be that there’s more from him as well. That group of bats is virtually the same core that was a terror to opposing pitching staffs in 2019 and much of 2020. Jose Miranda should be expected to join them at some point in 2022, and while Nelson Cruz is no longer here, freeing up the designated hitter spot should work in favor of Minnesota when it comes to lineup construction. There’s a lot of opportunity for progress there, even if that leaves the door open to uncertainty. The reality is that aside from a shortstop, Falvey had little need to spend on bats. When it comes to pitching, there are certainly roles that need answers. The rotation is incomplete, and while it won’t stay that way, internally, the options are less evident. However, what is worth noting is that the stable of prospects should be near-ready to be unleashed. There are no less than five top options that Falvey has cultivated over the past few years. Nick Nelson recently wrote a great piece exploring why the Twins may be hesitant to spend on pitching. It all comes back to this group. Had 2020 gone off as expected, the injuries to these arms likely would have been less prevalent in 2021, and we’d have seen more opportunity at the highest level for this group. It all amounts to a situation where the front office could be near suggestive of simply running it back. That may not wind up in a dominant season, but it’s also an understandable stance given where internal development lies. There are needs in the middle infield and rotation, but there’s also the expectation of multiple prospect options that should be called upon in a season or less. Without backing yourself into a corner with dollars and long-term deals, there’s a tightrope to walk if the path is playing a waiting game. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Order the Offseason Handbook — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

While we have no baseball right now because of the league locking out its players, there’s still minor league prospects to dream on. 2021 provided us a full season of minor league action and the Twins saw a ton of movement from their biggest names. It was certainly tough to see the injuries mount this season, but that can likely be tied to the non-traditional 2020 and having to get back into a demanding flow. The last update to the top 15 in this space came in June, prior to the Major League Baseball draft, so now feels like a good time to refresh the list. Previous rankings can be found below. Let’s get into it: 2016 Top 15 Prospects 2017 Top 15 Prospects 2018 Top 15 Prospects 2019 Top 15 Prospects 2020 Top 15 Prospects 2021 Top 15 Prospects 15. Cole Sands RHP Sliding Sands back a spot here has nothing to do with him, and everything to do with additions before him. He posted a 2.46 ERA in 80.1 IP all at the Double-A level in 2021. The strikeouts are there and while the walk rate was up, he still worked around damage. Some time on the IL wasn’t a great thing, but he could be an option for Minnesota soon. 14. Matt Wallner OF I’m pretty bullish on Wallner being a better version of Brent Rooker. His .854 OPS at High-A was a professional best this season, and he raked for Scottsdale in the Arizona Fall League. He has massive arm strength and should be fine in a corner spot. He’s going to hit for power, and I think the on-base abilities are there too. 13. Noah Miller INF Taken 36th overall by the Twins, Miller’s brother Owen is a big leaguer. Noah is expected to be a better all-around prospect and has plenty of speed on his own. I think he’s got a pretty good shot to stick in the middle of the infield, and it’ll be exciting to see him on the field in 2022. 12. Blayne Enlow RHP Throwing just 14.2 innings this year, Enlow was put on the shelf early and then underwent Tommy John surgery. He was added to the 40-man roster protecting him from a Rule 5 selection. He’s still one of my favorite breakout prospects, but he won’t be healthy to start 2022. 11. Josh Winder RHP After dominating Double-A, Winder earned a pretty quick promotion to Triple-A. He was just ok in his four starts at St. Paul, but there’s no reason to believe this isn’t a talented arm. He’s consistently had strong strikeout stuff and avoided free passes. Winder was bit most by the longball for the Saints. He did experience a trip to the IL but should be healthy coming into 2022. 10. Keoni Cavaco INF In 60 games for Low-A Fort Myers Cavaco did little to impress. That said, he’s still just 20 years old and it was great to see him advance beyond the complex league. He’s still filling out form a body standpoint, and 2022 will be an important year for his development. 9. Chase Petty RHP Selected as the 26th overall pick in the 2021 Major League Baseball draft, Petty was seen as a great value selection given his ability to reach triple-digits on the mound. He’s still got a good amount of refinement to undergo, but this is a great arm for Minnesota to mold. 8. Matt Canterino RHP Spending a good amount of time on the IL this year, Canterino certainly wanted to get in more than 23 innings. The work he did do was dominant, however. A 0.78 ERA and 45/4 K/BB is plenty indicative of him needing the challenge of at least Double-A to start 2022. 7. Simeon Woods-Richardson RHP One piece of the return for Jose Berrios, Woods-Richardson pitched just eight innings for the Twins at Double-A. After playing with Team USA in the Olympics, he needed a good amount of time to ramp back up. The strikeout numbers are exciting, but he does have command issues to work through. Still, this is a top-100 prospect that should be fun to watch in 2022. 6. Jhoan Duran RHP After being among the best Twins pitching prospects coming into 2021, Duran took a slight step backwards. He was injured for a good part of the season and contributed just 16 innings. The high strikeouts were combined with too many walks. The velocity is certainly there, but he could wind up being a reliever too. 2022 will be a big season for him. 5. Joe Ryan RHP Acquired in exchange for Nelson Cruz, Ryan wound up being among the best things to happen for the Twins last season. After pitching for Team USA, Ryan made five starts at the big league level. His 3.43 FIP was better than the 4.05 ERA, but a 30/5 K/BB is beyond impressive for a guy who doesn’t have dominant velocity. How Ryan adapts to more tape on him in year two is going to be intriguing. 4. Jose Miranda IF No player in the Twins system had a better year than Miranda. He tallied a .973 OPS across Double and Triple-A while blast 30 homers. He played all over the infield and it’s clear the bat is ready for his next challenge. I’m not sure where he fits for Minnesota yet, and it may not be Opening Day, but he’s coming and soon. 3. Jordan Balazovic RHP Starting 20 games for Double-A Wichita, Balazovic turned in 3.62 ERA with a 9.5 K/9. He looked every bit the pat of an ace at times while going through growing pains as well. He’ll need a clean bill of health and complete season in 2022, but he’s very close. 2. Austin Martin SS/OF The headlining return for Jose Berrios, Martin is a very similar player to Minnesota’s top prospect Royce Lewis. Playing shortstop but potentially an outfielder, Martin owned a .779 OPS at Double-A Wichita. He hasn’t really hit for any power, but that should come. The athleticism is strong, and the speed is there as well. 1. Royce Lewis SS/OF Putting him back on top of the prospect rankings, Lewis missed all of 2021 with a torn ACL. He’ll return to the field healthy in 2022 and looking to distance himself from a 2019 that left production to be desired. Lewis’ bat has flashed plenty, and he’s looked comfortable at both short and in the outfield. A quick rise to the big leagues may be in the cards.

It’s been a slow couple of weeks with Major League Baseball effectively shut down. A few minor league transactions have trickled in, and a handful of stories regarding guys signing overseas have accumulated, but the lockout has drawn things to a halt. Recent reports don’t suggest a reprieve soon. Earlier this week, The Athletic’s Evan Drellich reported that while a handful of topics are to be discussed regarding a new CBA, core economic won’t be on the agenda until January. Since the lockout occurred on December 2nd, Major League Baseball appears comfortable taking their time; there have been no formal proposals. As discussed in this space previously, the league itself loses nothing until games and revenue go away. A small group reportedly met for an in-person meeting on Thursday. Still, the context of that meeting is unknown, and wasn’t expected to include anything financially driven. Right now, there’s uncertainty as to which side will make the next move. Rob Manfred suggested, before the lockout, that the league had made a proposal, and the union had it on their plate to hammer out an agreement. That feeling wasn’t reciprocated from the union side, and now we have a stalemate. Looking at the offseason calendar, that’s where we can find the best indication of how things are progressing. Neither side has much desire to meet or move on any critical issues. It’s not just economics that needs to be hammered out, but they undoubtedly are among the chief concerns. Baseball’s next event was a trade of arbitration figures on January 14. It’s in February that teams report to Spring Training. Both sides seem content waiting through the turn of the year until making any more advancements. That’s a fine stance, and one the union likely needs to create leverage as their greatest asset is the on-field product, but that also leaves a significant amount of work to be done in just a month. How this all gets hammered out, especially with two sides doing virtually nothing to take steps forward presently, will be something to behold. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook, or email View full article

During the 2021 Major League Baseball season, the Minnesota Twins saw little execution in terms of expectations. They did see a minor leaguer in Jose Miranda leap well above his. Nash recently looked at ten breakout candidates, but there’s one guy still not getting his due. In 2017, the Twins selected Brent Rooker 35th overall out of Mississippi State. He was a stud from a strong SEC conference. Rooker was coming off a ridiculous 1.306 OPS and power that was expected to translate. However, he was immediately tabbed as a bat-only prospect, and his greatest path to the big leagues was in being able to hit. We’ve seen him struggle in the outfield, and reports are that his footwork at first base is worse. Rooker may have a future yet, but he’s now 27 and has just 234 plate appearances to the tune of a .713 OPS under his belt. That’s not going to earn time as a regular. This isn’t a piece to knock Rooker though, Minnesota’s hope undoubtedly is that a guy under team control through 2027 will find it. Instead, the player you may have been expecting could instead come from 2019 39th overall pick Matt Wallner. Wallner is a Minnesota native from Forest Lake. He played his college ball at Southern Mississippi, and his 1.127 OPS out of college was plenty impressive in its own right. Wallner both pitched and hit for the Golden Eagles. He has a cannon from the outfield and an arm on the bump that can run it up in the mid-90s. The .810 OPS was a solid start in his 2019 pro-debut, but the pandemic shelved him. Without an invite to the Twins alternate site in St. Paul, Wallner kept himself ready while 2020 was shelved for Minor League Baseball. In 2021, he played at High-A Cedar Rapids and posted an .858 OPS with 15 dingers in just 68 games. Having been placed on the Injured List with a broken hamate bone which required surgery, Wallner missed nearly half of the season. Participating in the Arizona Fall League, he could have been in contention for league MVP with a 1.011 OPS if a hit-by-pitch in the face didn’t limit him to just 18 games. Even with the time on the shelf, production suggests the recently-turned 24-year-old is putting it together. Wallner is much more of an athlete than Rooker before him, and he’s average at worst in the outfield. Pitching could be a fallback option for him, but that’s probably never going to be part of the story. I’d be pretty surprised if Minnesota isn’t aggressive with the former Southern Miss star in 2022. Starting at Double-A wouldn’t be a shock, and making it to Triple-A or better is potentially in the cards. This time last year, Jose Miranda was left unprotected in the Rule 5 draft and became the biggest no-brainer addition. Wallner’s status didn’t necessitate a 40-man roster move this winter, but his production certainly could by next year... or sooner. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

Over the past couple of years, trading cards, specifically baseball, have taken off. While it may have initially been pandemic-driven, it’s been a sustained level of enjoyment ever since. Although there’s a monetary aspect involved, it’s evident that the hobby is equally about enjoying the camaraderie of others. No one embodies that more than Midwest Box Breaks. Over the past 18 months, I’ve taken a look at multiple different trading card stories. There was the one about former Twins pitcher Phil Hughes driving a new version of celebrity. Minnesota’s own D.J. Skee has headlined Project 70 for Topps, and Blake Jamieson helped put the first art project for Topps on the map. While I touched on card breaking in this piece detailing where the hobby is now, I haven’t dove in with anyone specific. Ben Smith, the owner of Midwest Box Breaks, seemed like the perfect person to talk with. From his ability to launch and grow a platform to foster and form an inclusive community, his impact in the space is massive. I caught up with him recently and touched on a handful of subjects. He had a lot of great insight to share. Twins Daily: Tell us about yourself. Who are you, what is Midwest Box Breaks, and how did you get into the hobby? Midwest Box Breaks: My name is Ben Smith. I collected cards as a kid in the 80s and early 90s. My first pack was ’83 Topps. My friends were all card collectors and that’s how I got into it. I put my collection away for several years when life, work, kids, etc became the focus. I would still occasionally buy some packs and rip them but I didn’t fully get back into the hobby until about 4 years ago. When I came back, a coworker friend told me about box breaks or group breaks. I tried a few and was instantly hooked. It didn’t take long to realize that buying cards was way easier than selling cards. I wanted to create a group that also put as much effort into selling, trading, and networking with other collectors. It was also important to me to create a place where new and returning collectors could learn and feel welcomed. That vision consumed me and that’s how Midwest Box Breaks was born. TD: Baseball cards have taken off over the past few years, but it’s no longer just influenced by the pandemic. What do you attribute that to and what has been the most exciting innovation you’ve seen? MBB: Social media really impacted card collecting and made it easier to connect with fellow collectors. But within the last few years, the biggest impact I’ve seen to the hobby boom have been people like Gary Vaynerchuk, Phil Hughes, and many other celebrities, athletes, and influencers. There is so much content to be consumed on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Twitch. The pandemic has brought even more people into collecting, as a way to escape, relax, and stay connected with friends. I’m always passionate about helping collectors sell, to ultimately put money back into their pockets, so they can have money to fuel their collections. Recently, a platform called Loupe has had enormous success because it gives collectors the ability to purchase cards and watch them be opened instantly right from their phone. Within the last 2 years, so many new companies have started up that use sales data and other information to educate collectors. “Not your father’s card collecting!” TD: As a breaker you connect with people from all different walks of life. You’ve befriended former Twins star Phil Hughes and partnered with him in a few areas. How did that relationship come about and what are your thoughts on current and former players getting into collecting? MBB: Phil has been great. He’s a knowledgeable, passionate collector with a sense of humor and a big heart. I was fortunate enough to help out at his National Convention booth and it’s obvious he cares about fans, followers, and collectors. I think we just tagged him enough on Twitter until he finally jumped in a break. Many of our regular customers and Twitter friends found us through Phil. I think anytime you get someone well known into the hobby it’s a good thing. We need to try harder to reach young people and keep this hobby going for future generations. TD: Breaking has become a key aspect in the hobby world for some years now. As someone who’s generated a strong following and created a positive platform in the space, what differentiates you, your company, and the experience? MBB: There are a lot of great breakers. I have become friends with many of them and we talk frequently. Most of us will help anyone that needs it. As I mentioned before, I really wanted to create a community to help new and returning collectors, and also provide a platform to help people sell, trade, and complete sets. Our group is really more of a family, that happens to all collect cards. My goal has been to show people that working together can improve the experience for everyone, and that together we can achieve amazing things. I try to promote a team atmosphere. We support and lean on each other, in good times and bad. I truly believe that everyone has a role and provides experience and leadership when given a chance to be involved. We have an amazing nucleus of kind people in our group that put others before themselves. We always say that it’s about more than just cards. TD: As a sports fan, it’s hard to find something more easily obtainable than sports cards. What are some of your favorites in your collection? Any names you’re looking at as making a big splash in the year ahead? MBB: I’m a lifelong fan of the Yankees and 49ers. I had family from both areas as a kid. I really love my vintage Yankees like Mantle, Berra, and Maris. My favorite player is Don Mattingly. I attended his charity event a few years ago and got to meet him. It was a lifetime dream fulfilled. I have a nice Yankees collection and my favorite Niners cards would be my Joe Montana and Jerry Rice rookies. As far as younger prospects today, I have been watching guys that come through the Padres organization more closely. I’m in Fort Wayne, Indiana, home of the Tincaps, Padres High A affiliate. I actually got to do a live break from a Tincaps suite this past summer, and was interviewed from the broadcast booth during the game. TD: It’s interesting in that whole sports are a cyclical event, their interest continues well beyond the realm of a current season. Why do you think hype or enjoyment remains well into the offseason or even now while we’re dealing with a baseball lockout? MBB: Every sport collected does see a slight dip in the offseason. Collectors keep it interesting and the new product releases still happen during the offseason. The desire to go after prospects and speculate in the hobby keep it going 365 days a year. Local monthly card shows also give collectors a chance to stay active and fuel the year round hype. TD: Talk to us about NFTs. It’s not an area I’ve dabbled in at all, but know it’s something you’ve begun expanding towards. How does that relate directly to Midwest Box Breaks and why are you so excited about it for the future? MBB: I’m new to NFTs but just learning and absorbing info constantly. The most common trait of a successful NFT project is its community. The ones I’ve joined have welcomed me and even sponsored some break events. Quite a few people I’ve met there are also card collectors. The best projects are creating value for their members by putting funds from minting back into their community. It didn’t take long for me to realize that an NFT based on our “Break Club” community that was focused on card collecting could help share our vision with the world and create something special for our collector friends. Break Club NFT will be launching in January ’22. TD: I know community and camaraderie are among the largest pulls in the hobby, and I’d imagine you feel the same. Can you talk about what you have going on with your Discord and how that has helped to shape your operation? MBB: Discord has been a big part of what we do and how we work together as a team. It’s a great place to communicate and share information in an organized way. Collectors can learn, ask questions, chat, hang out, and join fun hobby related activities. It truly is a family. We’ve helped our friends get through bad times and there is always someone around to help or just listen. We can talk trash on game day, but we can also work together for charity or to pick up a friend who is down. Everything Midwest Box Breaks is about can be found in our Discord server. Let’s end with some rapid fire. When do you think the lockout ends? In time for opening day. Too much to lose from impacting the season. Where is Clayton Kershaw signing? Yankees would be great. Who is winning the 2022 World Series? Heart-Yankees; Does Barry Bonds belong in the Hall of Fame? Eventually yes, and the others too. Who wins an MVP first, Soto, Acuna Jr, Tatis Jr, or Franco? Tatis-stay healthy! Ben was great to talk with and you can connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

I don't disagree with the premise that signing free agent arms, at 30 or older, to 5+ year deals is suboptimal. You're likely to watch it go downhill quickly. The problem is that's how the market currently plays. If you want to get the services of those top pitchers you either need to convince other FA pitchers to think like Trevor Bauer, or be willing to spend well above projected AAV in a shorter term.

I thought it seemed a bit light in writing it out, but even 2/$40 would be fine for the Twins and gives them at least another $20M to spend in 2021 alone.

I don't think they are one arm away, and I think they should be giving out 3-5 year deals for pitchers. They should be adding another top level arm via trade.

While having until January to cast my annual IBWAA Hall of Fame Ballot, I decided to get it in before the holidays this year. Once again, the IBWAA is not part of the Official BBWAA vote to enshrine players in Cooperstown but with a large voting body this is a fun process to partake in each season. The IBWAA selection process allows for 12 candidates to be voted. My previous ballots can be found here: 2018 2019 2020 I didn’t hit the 12 max but did decide to open up my restrictions a bit. I’ve never been a “Small Hall” type but keeping out those on the border doesn’t make much sense to me considering there’s always going to be more worthy players. After Larry Walker and Derek Jeter were inducted last cycle, I have just three holdovers this time with seven new candidates. Let’s get into it: Alex Rodriguez 113.7 fWAR Arguably one of the best to ever play the game, Rodriguez rubbed plenty the wrong way, but his numbers are otherworldly. I’m still mad he missed 700 homers by just four, but the career .930 OPS is beyond impressive. Rodriguez also racked up three MVP awards and was a 14-time All-Star. He’s remade his image a bit after his playing career while being an analyst, but regardless of what you think about him, the talent was something that doesn’t come around often. Curt Schilling: 79.7 fWAR Bloody sock nonsense aside, Schilling is a three time Cy Young runner-up, and six-time All Star. He struck out 3,116 batters in his career and owns a 3.46 ERA while totaling more than 200 wins. Three World Series rings, an MVP, and a 2.23 postseason ERA do him favors as well. Since voting for him last year, Schilling has made plenty of splashes in the media. He's not well liked off the field, but the character clause is among the most dated pieces of inclusion into the Hall of Fame. On baseball merit alone, he's worthy of the nod. Scott Rolen 70.1 fWAR Vastly underappreciated, Rolen started as a Rookie of the Year winner, and went on to tally eight Gold Glove awards. He was a seven time All Star and among the best to ever field the Hot Corner. With an .855 career OPS, his bat more than does enough to supplement what was an exceptional defensive career. Andruw Jones 67.1 fWAR Jones's 17 year career is often going to be questioned as he held on for five uninspiring seasons to closer out his time as a big leaguer. That aside, the 10 year stretch from 199-2007 was one for the ages. With 10 Gold Glove's and five All Star appearances, he was easily among the greatest in the game for a decade. Manny Ramirez 66.3 fWAR In 2002 Manny Ramirez picked up his only batting title with a .349 average. He’s a career .312 hitter and has a .996 OPS. He’s a member of the 500 home run club with 555 and picked up MVP votes in nine-straight seasons. Ramirez won nine Silver Slugger’s and was a part of two World Series championship teams. One of the best pure hitters to ever step on the diamond, Ramirez is worthy of induction. Gary Sheffield 62.1 fWAR Sheffield grabbed his batting title with the San Diego Padres in 1992 with a .330 tally. His .907 OPS is borderline for induction, but the 509 career home runs is enough to get it done for me. Sheffield picked up nine All-Star appearances and won the Silver Slugger five times. He was part of the 1997 Florida Marlins World Series team and was consistently a middle-of-the-order hitter. Sammy Sosa 60.1 fWAR Giving baseball one of the best home run chases in history, Sammy Sosa tangled with Mark McGwire during the amazing 1998 season. Sosa won his MVP that season hitting 66 homers and finished his career with 609. Sosa’s .878 career OPS isn’t all that special, but I can’t continue to ignore the career home run tally. David Ortiz 51.0 fWAR It took a while for the Hall of Fame to make room for designated hitters, but David Ortiz is among the best of them. He’s been both an ALCS and World Series MVP while picking up three rings. His career 541 home runs is beyond impressive, and the fact that he finished his career at 40 with a 1.021 OPS continues to be among the best seasons ever. Billy Wagner 24.0 fWAR Relievers are very under-represented in the Hall of Fame and Billy Wagner is another good one to get in. His career 2.31 ERA is impressive, and the 11.9 K/9 was ahead of his time. Saves are an overrated metric, but Wagner has 422 of them. A seven-time All-Star, put him in. Joe Nathan 19.5 fWAR Not far off from the man above him, Nathan falls into the category of relievers needing to make their way to Cooperstown. He posted 377 saves and owned a 2.87 ERA. Nathan’s K/9 of 9.5 wasn’t spectacular, but he was named to six All-Star games of his own. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz