Squirrel

What I know for sure: 1. We've downgraded 3B 2. We've downgraded C and also have no depth 3. We still don't have a SS 4. We still don't have enough pitching, despite the trade for Gray, and will make that a bad trade if they do nothing else. Until/Unless other moves are made, we traded Garver, Donaldson and Rortvedt for Urshela, Sanchez and Henriquez. That's what I know for certain. As I said in another thread, yes, these moves are likely precursors to other moves, but what if they other moves they want to make don't happen because, you know, the price goes too high for Story or too high for a potential trade with Oakland because now we are in a situation of 'we must have'. I hope that they had some kind of agreement in place with Story before making these moves because, well, now we are in a 'have to do this' mode, and everyone knows it. I mean ... this waiting until it all sorts itself out is excruciating, but what I said above is what we know for sure. Having payroll flexibility doesn't mean we will flex.

Yeah ... I'm just being an ...

Even if they do hit on a big name, I'm not sure a complete shake up is good? Although I have no idea what the clubhouse is like and having so many 'new' personalities in it will do, or if it even makes a difference or will have an affect. We are talking about professionals, BUT, winning teams do 'click'. Yeah, okay ... now I'm 'arguing' intangibles

yeah, until they traded away IKF AND Rortvedt ...

What I meant by 'out-maneuvered' was ... counting on having enough money to make a deal, then letting another team outbid you because, 'oh my, we can't go that high, even with the surplus we have to use'. Not that any specific team will 'screw' us ... we will screw ourselves. So maybe it's we out-maneuver ourselves with this when we don't pull the trigger.

This is pretty much my concern ... trading away TWO catchers ... bad move, depending on who/what they pick up. And moving Donaldson's money only makes that a good trade IF they actually use the money to sign a GOOD starting SS, a back up catcher and a couple of pitchers. If not? We are left with a low payroll and a bad team and gave away one of our best pitching prospects for a couple of seasons of losing teams. And, at this point, I'm a bit concerned with the clubhouse. Does/could it make a difference? I don't know. But right now it feels like they are throwing a bunch of stuff in the mix and hoping for it to gel. A lot of new guys trying to fit together ... I just find that iffy. <shrug> But what do I know.

I don't have a problem with trading Petty for Gray ... unless you have no intentions of making this year and next year viable, competitive years, then what does it matter having Gray at all? I don't think it's a good swap because I don't think the on field product right now is good. IF you sign Story and another true backup C, and another pitcher (or two), then it makes sense. Until then? Ugh ... we have two years of Gray and a bad team.

If you aren’t going to sign enough proven, above-average pitching, then you absolutely need a solid, proven infield to help backup the young, unproven pitching. Having neither will make for a worse season this year than last, imo, and then why trade away one of your better pitching prospects for Gray? That’s where I’m at with it. If you are going to go with the prospects for pitching, have a quality infield. Or go out and get quality pitching. I don’t think the Twins are done with their maneuvering, but I really hope they aren’t out-maneuvered in the process.

I'm actually more upset that we lost Rortvedt in this deal. It's one thing to trade one of Garver and Rortvedt, but both? Even as much as I liked Donaldson and his 'spark' and his defense and offense, when he wasn't DL'd, I get moving him. I didn't want to, but that I get. We can always sign a SS (hoping we do), but ... we don't have a backup catcher and going with Sanchez? Ew. And we still need pitching. I mean, this just can't be where we leave things.

I agree that if we get him ... AND they sign another backup catcher ... it makes some sense. But we've heard this before, until someone else gives him the extra year or extra million we wouldn't. And then we end up going with the reclamation project. Further, I don't like that we've traded away TWO of our catchers, with no one coming up any time soon. Sanchez is not the backup anyone should want when Jeffers needs a rest or has to go on concussion watch. And we lost the only bit of spark we had in the clubhouse with Donaldson.

They need a lot of things for this to make sense. The team got a LOT worse, offensively and defensively, with these trades.

For taking on all of Donaldson's contract, I think they had to get something. But wow, getting rid of BOTH Garver AND Rortvedt? Yikes.

I want what he's smoking!

Yep ... the way it stands right now we are worse at 3rd, worse at C, still a big hole at SS, 1 upgrade at pitcher ... gotta think there is more coming, but wow. And this has gotta be weird on the clubhouse right now. Just ... we'll see what happens in the next week, but so far, I'm not very hopeful

Well ... was thinking to make room on the 40-man for some great signing or trade ... still waiting for that to happen ...

This is such a Rays move ... get rid of most of your team every year ... so you never know who is on it ever

yeah ... like he'd sign here after we've decimated the team ... I mean ... we have so many holes to fill now ... we have downgraded our infield and catching positions

I know ... but still ... what???? At this point, it doesn't feel like much of a team

Okay ... either there is more to come or we are going full rebuild mode ... I mean ... wtf?

Won't they both be moved to the 60-day list tomorrow, the first mandatory ST day?

I didn't really get this one, so thanks for explaining it

Work with it. Live with it. Nothing is perfect. And the answer you don't know because the results are incomplete.

There is an option for 'idk' which should suffice for incomplete

Okay, don't laugh. I have an arthritic condition in one foot that has resulted in me wearing custom orthotics and stiff-soled shoes with a bit of a rocker bottom. Alas, all my glorious high heels and designer shoes are out the window in place of the clunkiness of, well, shoes like Hoka Bondi and the like. So, found this brand ... DeckersXLab ... and they look very promising and fit my need for 'unique' shoes. (Yeah, okay, I could put a link to Fluevogs here, but I won't.) Anyway ... anyone ever try these? All the reviews seem very positive, but, just thought I'd ask. Anyone?

It's been a slow news day for months now ... everyone is trying to get back into it ... bear with it