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Carew was in his age 30 season in '76 when he became a full time first baseman. He had his amazing "Time cover" MVP season the following year. His 9,7 WAR more than doubled what Morneau put up in his best All-Star season. Knoblauch posted an 8.7 WAR in '96, 3rd best in the league. WAR isn't the be-all-end-all stat, but a 9.7 or 8.7 best compared to a 4.7 best says it all. For Twins careers, I agree with you on Morneau and Carew, but this article is based on best single All-Star seasons.

It isn't just Montas. terrydactyls included either Soderstrom or Longeliers in the deal. Both catchers are in MLB's the top 100 list, 56th and 59th, respectively. Balazovic isn't on the list. Fangraphs lists them 36th and 70th overall. Balazovic is ranked 90th. So it's certainly debatable that either of the catchers would more than make up for the loss of Balazovic. From MLB: ...Soderstrom entered pro ball without a ton of catching experience and that part of his game is still behind the bat, leading some to wonder if it would be better to move him to first, a position he saw some time at in 2021, to let his bat advance more quickly. There’s still work to be done, but the A’s are pleased with the progress he made in terms of blocking and receiving, as well as with using his above-average arm strength. ...the A’s wanted Langeliers to be one of the headliners in the deal that sent Matt Olson to Atlanta... ...Even if he doesn’t hit, Langeliers’ defense will make him a big leaguer. He has one of the best arms of any Minor Leaguer at any position and he threw out 42 percent of potential basestealers a year ago. He’s a strong leader and works very well with pitchers and after his experience on the postseason taxi squad, he’s close to being ready for a job as a big league regular.

I don't see the teams manipulating the system as some sort of moral disgrace. It's business. Both sides use loopholes at the drop of the hat if they deem it best for themselves. Both sides work out a system and agree to the conditions of the contract. Player contracts are a microcosm of the player-owner contract. If an individual player feels jilted by a loophole in the league contract, his beef should be with the player's association and the team he plays for. The player's association can negotiate the question when the next contract comes up. If the player believes his team did him wrong, he can take his services elsewhere when he becomes a free agent. As to terms of location and being to to an owner and a location for a decade, it's also part of being in a league system. It isn't a normal job. Buxton is as least as much an MLB player as he is a Twin. MLB rules are based on collective bargaining and play a large part in determining how much a player makes during his career. Part of being a successful league is having a degree of parity. In the long run, the continued success of the league makes both sides richer. To me, these questions are the business of the players and the owners. Both sides are equal. There are no real victims of immoral manipulation. It only becomes personal when and if it comes to a strikes or a lockout.

The beauty of baseball is it's many dimensions. There will always be many open questions.That leads to discussions and debates. It's a healthy thing on a healthy board. Nonsense comments and snarky remarks aren't healthy. TD doesn't often suffer that problem. I appreciate this debate/discussion. Got me thinking and I learned some things. Out of respect for your request in this specific discussion, I pass on commenting.

No, this isn't about 2021, though that's a huge part of it. From Nick's intro: "The idea is to assess players' importance to the future of the Minnesota Twins."

Organizations may also draft players from Double-A or lower to play for their Triple-A affiliates (for $12,000) and may draft players from Class A teams ..

221 So many variables. Safe to say it was a win for Houston, but it could also easily turn out to be at least a wash for the Twins. While Pressly pitched well in his final month in Minnesota, two earned runs in 13 innings, dropping his ERA from 4.14 to 3.40, he was lights out in Houston. After giving up an earned run in his first one inning appearance, he gave up a single run over the following 22.3 innings, with 33 k's and just 3 walks. His 2018 WHIP in Minnesota was 1.364, in Houston, 0.600. Pressly changed his approach with the Astros. By far the biggest factor in Pressly’s success was in locating his pitches, using his curveball as an out pitch. He also scrapped his two-seam fastball after the trade. His K/W ratio was 3.63 in Minnesota, 10.67 in Houston! He followed up in 2019 with a 6.00 ratio last season. In short, Pressly raised his game to a level that he wouldn't have seen had he not been traded. It's been said that his transformation with the Astros led to the Twins hiring of Wes Johnson. I'd argue that Johnson´s hiring alone makes the Pressly trade a win for the Twins.

"His suspension was 60 games with 39 games remaining, not 37% of a season with 24% remaining." And the 60 game suspension was also at least tangentially based on a 162 game season. While a strict 39 games remaining stance seems more likely, I´m with Doc´s point that it´s an interesting argument.

This question highlights the beauty of baseball. The ever-evolving chess game. New rules force changes on one side that are countered by the other.I don't particularly see this strategy becoming "a thing" for constructing line-ups this season, but it certainly seems to have to legs as an option to consider in some scenarios. The argument is valid. An idea that hasn't been discussed much. Nate offers as a hypothetical and leaves it as an open question. First blush reasons why this will be mainly a secondary factor in setting lineups; I think the new rule will effect the 26-man roster as much or more than the starting lineups. There will be more relief pitchers rostered this season that are more evenly effective to batters on both sides of the plate. On offense, managers more place more emphasis on filling a last roster spot with a stronger pinch-hitter over a better defensive fielder. In any case, aside from and sometimes including walk-off win situations, managers will still understand the potential danger of giving out intentional walks. In short, IMO, this is an interesting counter for managers to consider when the stars align.

I think the point of this article got hijacked from the jump in the comments section. As I read it, there is no suggestion the Arraez should change his approach at the plate. Matthew laid out a cogent argument; basically a scenario where Arraez's current hitting style and ability to hit the sweet spot will produce more power in the future as his body matures. Pedroia hit eights home runs over his first full season in his age 23 season. Arraez hit four HRs at age 22 with 215 fewer plate appearances. Would it shock anyone to see him hit eight this coming season or 12 to 18 down the line while using the same general plate approach? IMO, Arraez is more than a contact hitter. Anyway, thank you Matt for laying the argument out so well. It hit home because I had a similar discussion with a friend Wednesday night.

Venezuelans speak Spanish. Portuguese is for Brazilian readers. Here is the Spanish translation: "¡Muchas gracias y bienvenidos a TD! También me apasionaba Johan Santana o la primera vez que lo vi. Es mi lanzador favorito en la historia de los Twins."

Yup. While between '69 and '70 Ryan pitched seven complete games, he also finished eight games out of the pen, recording two saves and a blown save. He had another save in the World Series.

While I at least think that I understand and sympathize with both ends of the basic argument, I'm leaning towards patience. Saying that the window is open now for a World Series run on one hand while on the other hand bemoaning the fact that the existing team can't win a playoff game much less a series seems problematic. If somehow a Scherzer had fallen in our lap last season, would we have been the favorite to win it all? How many pieces will it take to seriously compete on paper with powerhouses in Houston and NY? IMO, the Twins could theoretically drain the farm for prime ready talent and then only be among the top contenders. As someone who suffered through long, lean seasons from '71 through '83, and again from '93 through '00, I greatly appreciate the nine-year run from '01 through '10 with six division titles and only one series win. I missed a lot of details and excitement during that time trying to adjust to life in South America. Mostly just box scores back then. Everyone has their own degree of hopes and expectations for their sports teams. My hopes are always high with less expectations for championships. KC won a WS, but I don't envy them, especially over the last 20 years. I'll take the eight post-season appearances and brighter future. KC was also working in a different window. The level of competition among the top teams was different in 2015. They had to face McHugh, Price, Estrada, and Harvey twice each. 2019 featured Cole, Verlander, Greinke, Strasburg, and Scherzer on two teams. Put the '19 or '20 Twins in the '15 window and I'd be all on board in giving up top prospects or breaking the bank for an ace level pitcher. Sorry for rambling on in such a scattered way. I see it as a very complicated argument with no easy answers either way. This is how I view it and it works for me.

What this team needs is a good five WAR Seager. Maybe Corey, but the Kyle train left the station three seasons ago.

Regarding Berra, 1961 was the only season he played more games at other positions than he did behind the plate. He was in his age 36 season. Regarding concussions, I googled Garver for concussions, multiple and repeated. The only report of repeated concussions I could find was a link back to this article. Anyway, while I think it would be wise to give him occasional starts at first, a position change now would be a waste of talent.

LOL! That's my all-time favorite.

I think the Altuve comparison has some merit. He did make the All-Star game in 2012 in his age 22 season, but the numbers weren't that great. He slashed .290 .340 .399, compared to Arraez's .354 .419 .457, albeit in 285 less at bats. Altuve was also a defensive liability and played only one position. Altuve had a -1.5 dWAR in 2012, Arraez is currently at a -.09 dWAR. Altuve's OPS dropped to .675 in the second half, .672 in September. Arraez is having his best month in September with a 1.076 OPS. Altuve's defense improved in 2013, but his offensive production didn't change, arguably dropped, .316 .363 .678. It wasn't until his age 24 season that he became a true star. Not saying Arraez is the next Altuve, but it is food for thought.

Regarding the announcers; I can only speak to the broadcasters.I think there's a place for reasonable pronunciation. Arraez doesn't need much, if any,of a tongue roll. While being in Chile the last 20 years affects my perspective, I'm also a curmudgeon. Jon Miller used to drive me crazy with his over-the-top Hispanic pronunciations. It turned into a schtick. But it goes both ways. We would all crack up if an announcer had referred to Ivan DeJesus as eye-vin dee-gee-juss. It least I would. Anyway, I think it makes sense for a TV or radio guy to get the basics. Double r's are more like l's, and z's sound more like s's. Arraez can simply be pronounced alise. That works well enough. Arise is not Arraez. It just isn't. As to Arraez the player; I agree with everything you wrote. I'd add that like Astudillo, he seems to have a rare combination of baseball IQ, instincts, and awareness. He's in the game. He thinks out of the box to to get an edge. Couple that with the natural abilities you referred to and I think we can expect sustained success.

A very respectable list, but Astudillo will not be denied. He proved again tonight how valuable he is in the clutch. Tortuga in, Miller out. Adrianza maybe has a shot to displace Schoop. The pitchers all make sense. I'd bet on Graterol being strong. Littell is the best bet for a spot that may go to the pitcher with the hottest hand in late September. Of course everything changes if there are injuries. Anyway, at this point in time, choosing the roster is more about deciding on which options are better than the others rather than which options are less bad than the others. That's a very nice luxury.

The 5-game ALDS series roster formation is the question here. Rosters are reformulated after each series. A roster vs the Astros may be tailored differently than vs the Yankees. Some teams run with three starters in a 5-game series and some continue with it throughout the post-season. In '87 and '91, they had Viola, Blyleven, and Straker; and Morris, Tapani, and Erickson pitching on three days rest in each series.Last season in the playoffs, the only teams using a pitcher or pitchers with 3-days rest were the Braves in the NLDS and the Brewers in the NLCS. Both clubs were eliminated. The '19 Twins starting staff isn't set for that. Barring injury, it's pretty much a lock the Twins will roster four set starters. Last season, the eight teams in the divisional series' went three different routes, with 11, 12, or 13 man pitching staffs. Barring an injury to a rostered player, Graterol won't be eligible for the post-season if he isn't added to the 40-man roster by midnight on Saturday. With the one open spot lingering, it makes me wonder if the team is still weighing options on post-season scenarios. Graterol, Alcala, Gordon, Miller? Anyway, while I love the speculation here, the reality a month from now will tell the tale. Cave would seem like a lock if the playoffs started tomorrow; not a lock in October. The fate of a few relievers could hinge on how well they're throwing at the end of September. The team can roll the dice on a hot hand for a 5-game roster. As for Schoop being a near lock because he's played so much, it isn't written in stone. 30-game starter Chase Anderson was left off the Brewers roster last October. In 2016, the Cubs dropped 15-game winner Jason Hammel and Joe Szczur, and Tommy La Stella was left off the NLCS roster. That's off the top of my head.

As of the 7th, Stathead has the Twins odds of making the post-season at 98.5%, and of winning the division at 80.3%. For CLE, it's 78.6% playoffs, 19.7% division. While I think the numbers are too high, Minnesota is in the drivers seat. With the remaining schedule difference, the Indians probably need to win 7, maybe 8, of the 10 head-to-head match ups. Whatever happens, I'm excited about the future.

Dallas is just down the road in the Texas sense. About 220 miles. After that, KC is the next closest at 650 miles. Milwaukee is 300 miles from Target Field, with Chicago's two teams at a distance of just over 350 miles. That said, I agree with you that location isn't everything. Houston has done a great job of putting their team together.

We'll know better after the dust settles...

I looked over the transactions list yesterday. Last year there were 18 trades made at the deadline with five on the day before it. More trades one the last day than the six previous days combined. In 2017, it was 15 deadline day trades, with 3 on the 30th. Being anxious for trades is understandable, we all are, but the history is clear that most deals come very late. Ripping on the FO not being aggressive enough this week has gotten old. Plenty of time for that at 3:01 PM if nothing good happens.