Squirrel

I know, I know ... yet ANOTHER Correa thread. This time a poll, though. So, let's suspend reality for a second, and the Twins actually sign Correa, what is your reaction? Comments please, but only for humor, or explaining your choice(s). (Psst ... you can choose more than one answer)

I'm not sure it comes to choice of locations ... I think it comes down to length of contract for the reason you said, insurability. But ... not sure how short/long the contract needs to be for the insurance company to get on board. That said, I'd still offer a contract. That said, it still won't be the offer he and Boras take.

Yes, that half field and full field which is right across from the ticket office, so off of left field. I'm not sure what they do anymore, but I think they used to have something out for the Twins 40-man roster and non-roster invitees, but not for all the minor leaguers, at least not that I know of. And that list was available during the week or two leading up to games starting. Once games start you can simply buy a program book.

I'd like him as a coach or manager some day ... but not on the 26-man

I guess I wouldn’t consider Miranda, Kirilloff and Arraez dregs as they are likely, at this point, going to get the most time there and, imo, do better than Sano

Have to say, I was hooked on the Frosty Malts first, then the Twins.

Hmm ... was it nature or nurture, or both?

Of course we do. I see it with many trade proposals on this site. Doesn't mean it's wrong to be so. Doesn't mean the opposite is, either. I think being guardedly hopeful is a good way forward, but then that is too optimistic to others. We each come from a different perspective where some seem over the top optimistic to some while others seem way too over the top pessimistic for others. But, back to Buxton, lots of 1st-rounders show huge promise and potential ... it's why they are 1st-rounders ... but it's still a crapshoot who makes it and who doesn't. But Buxton still shows huge ability, both on field and in the batter's box ... when he plays. I don't think we are overrating his player abilities and skills ... but where I am guarded is how often those abilities and skills contribute, due to injuries. How you want to play that in your hopefulness or lack thereof as to what kind of season he will have, well, no one is right or wrong in their opinions. As I've said, I just want to see him play as often as possible, just not sure how often as possible will happen.

Nice piece of writing, @Ben Reimler ... thank you!

Once games have started I don’t think you see as much practice out in the open, but the fields to check are the ones adjacent to the stadium. There is a full field and a half field. Also, under the stadium are the batting cages, and they are open to view. And the BP just around the corner from there. They are in the same side as those adjacent fields. During away games you may see guys who aren’t traveling practicing there, but not as much later in spring. Usually they are done by late morning, so you’d have to get there early. Later in the month you do occasionally see a major leaguer or two jumping into a minor league game … guys who need extra at bats or pitchers needing to get innings in, but rarely in the field, unless it’s a AAA-ML cusp or back and forth player. It’s sometimes difficult to know who will be where when, but on game day, get there early and check out the action on the minor league fields then wander up to the stadium and see if anything is going on in the cages, BP area and the adjacent fields. I generally like being there the week leading up to the first game … lots of players around doing various activities. The time to get autographs is usually before or at the end of practice. During, the guys are pretty focussed on getting their work in. Another good person to ask is @Halsey Hall. He has spent way more time at ST, all of ST, than anyone and usually knows the ins and outs. I’m usually there a week here or there, and it’s usually different weeks each year, depending on my schedule.

I think that was Ted’s point as that was his response to someone who claimed Buxton was Sano-esque, which was way off the mark

Welcome to TD! ?

I call foul! UNC is not a Minnesota team!

I was going to say something very similar. I also think it is a bit dehumanizing to refer to players as assets. I get what’s being said and appreciate the article even so, but it just struck me differently. I was expecting the list as you said it, and not of human beings.

Okay, well I do

So difficult to tell in this environment ? Oh, and we’re not all fellas. Also difficult to tell in this environment ?

What I’d like to know is, was Correa’s 3 yr deal insured? It seems to me that that is a big part of the equation with the Mets and Giants contracts. It was pointed out in several threads that this could be, and likely is, the issue to the 12-13 yr length of the contract vs the 1-3 yr length. And as a medical expert pointed out, that the issue is likely the beginnings of arthritis forming around the surgically repaired area, that it either wasn’t there at the start of last season, and/or wasn’t a concern for a 3 yr deal but would be for a 12-13 yr deal, given the nature of the progressiveness of arthritis. i don’t disagree about being skeptical of the Twins evaluations, but on this, yes, we are all arguing on assumptions based on our skepticism and not knowing all the facts. Could they have missed something? Sure. Could they have noticed something but didn’t think it was much of a risk for 3 yrs? Also possible. Could the condition not have been there at the beginning of last season? Again, also possible. That said, if the insurance companies were willing to take on the risk, I think the deals with the Giants or the Mets would have been done already, And yes, I think more due diligence was done based on the total years and total cost of the contracts the Mets and Giants offered, and that their risk is far greater than the length and cost of the contract than the Twins contract prior to last season,

No way. This is not the way forward, no matter what happens with the FO. I don’t think he’s even in baseball anymore, having been let go by the Tigers

4 Twins WS, 1 Gophers Rose Bowl

I disagree that this is an either/or. And it would depend on what contract C4 would get. That said, he won’t be signing here.

Right, exactly … Ive said this before. I think it’s a long-term insurability issue as well as a ‘will this be a problem long term in ability to play’ issue. As Heezy noted, there is also no way to know if, how and when this might progress, if this is, indeed the issue. I know first hand how arthritis works, unfortunately. But whatever the issue is, I don’t think it was an issue last year, at least not something that would deter signing a 1-3 yr contract. And the fact that he didn’t have major injury/health issues last year means it was fine. Did the Twins have insurance on that contract? Pretty sure they did or the flags would have been raised then. Or it was a cost they were willing to risk, which makes me more certain now that they knew then this was truly a one year-deal and/or they felt it was worth the risk. And they were correct and knew what they were doing. For those claiming the standards needing to be met are the same as a contract 4 times the length and 3-4 times the total value, no, they are not and I just don’t agree with that premise, I still think Correa will get a significant contract, but it won’t involve guaranteed money for the whole length. At least I hope not from the Twins, unless whatever terms they would agree to are able to be insured.

Heezy did weigh in … this was his post:

It’s also about insurability on the long, pricy contract. I think that is more the issue. There is a known, surgically repaired injury that projections don’t think kindly of. I don’t think it’s anything that hampers his play right now and there is no knowing how it will progress. I think a contract of 8-10yrs is still doable, front load the first half, so you are paying for what you get; incentivize the back half to cover your risk. If Correa thinks anyone is going to give him guaranteed money to the end, I think he may be looking at a career of 1-yr, make it good, contracts

Well, I don’t agree there would be zero chance the team wouldn’t be moved. Look, I’m not a fan of ownership and how we play in FA, but that isn’t just about ownership. There is a lot wrong with MLB, and selling the team isn’t go to solve the issues. It’s a short-sighted solution, imo, and one many unhappy fans turn to.

I didn’t say I want the Pohlads to keep the team, did I? I just think it’s short-sighted to think that them selling the team will solve what we dislike. Was just trying to give a ‘be careful what you wish for’ scenario. And I have been very vocal in these forums, as I said above, in them not spending on FA, but I don’t think selling the team will answer then problem.