Darius

That’s an undeniable fact. But, let’s be honest, he was not acquired to be the ace of the staff at the time of the trade. The Cy Young runner-up kind of fell into their lap unexpectedly. If anyone thought it may be the case, the Dodgers would’ve asked for more or kept him outright; other teams would’ve been involved, etc. Working with that level of hindsight, and making the jump to “see, there’s no pitching acquisition/retention issue here,” is a bridge too far and pretty disingenuous. We’re talking about a club that recently ran Randy Dobnak out in a playoff series in Yankee Stadium. We’re also talking about a club that pulled its Cy Young runner up after 5 with a 2 hitter in a playoff game....for less than desirable options. A reasonable baseball person can’t believe that’s a formula for sustained playoff success (or any playoff success, for that matter), with only one example of an acquisition at that level in their tenure. It’s like playing the lottery and calling it a job (sure, you’re doing something, but what are the odds it’s going to payoff?). It was also a shortened seasons, and his efficacy going forward remains to be seen, IMO. He switched leagues and had an “unknown” factor to him with the Twins tweaking his pitch mix. He’ll be a solid pitcher no doubt, but I think it’s a mistake to expect Maeda to be a Cy Young contender for the foreseeable future. The bargain bin works out occasionally. I think the gripe some have is there is a historical lack of willingness to commit significant dollars or prospect capital to a proven front-line starter. Whether that’s ownership, FO philosophy, or whatever.....that’s also an undeniable fact. If the philosophy is that it’s better to develop pitching, fine. But, we’re not seeing that yet. It takes time, and that’s understood. But, we’re currently in a rare playoff window for this club. I don’t think it’s unreasonable for a segment of fans to feel like it’s being wasted because we don’t have the horses in the rotation for a World Series run. I feel like it’s unreasonable to not be concerned about how far the pitching staff as a while can carry this team, no matter how many runs they score.

It feels like I’ve been reading about Miranda on prospect reports here for a decade.

That projection is crazy. The Sox offense could look a lot like the Twins’ did in 2019. But. They’ll have a slightly better pitching staff than we had that year, IMO. If some of those young hitters take another step, Moncada returns to form, and they add Vaughn.....wow. I think some forget they also lost Kopech to an opt-out last year. He could be a fairly high upside middle of the rotation guy for them, in addition to Gioltio, who’s a complete stud. I’d be thrilled that projection were right, but it seems off base.

This remains to be seen. The Twins got a competent starter, but at the end of day what did it accomplish? It didn’t draw any additional revenue, because attendance was a non-factor. He accumulated 1.5 WAR in a shortened season. He pitched a gem in the playoffs, but Baldelli inexplicably pulled him with a 2 hitter after 5 innings. They then lost the game and series. Meanwhile, Graterol gave the Dodgers numerous good innings during the regular season. Had 4 scoreless playoff appearances, including a World Series appearance, and had an overall ERA around 3.00 in the playoffs. The Dodgers went on the win the World Series. The Dodgers are loaded with starters and don’t miss Maeda in the slightest. The Twins, again, got a good starter but are filling bullpen holes with the skeletal remains of Hansel Robles and off the waiver wire. Turned out well for the Twins, although in sort of a meaningless way to this point. It could’ve possibly turned out much better but for Baldelli over thinking things. I think it’s clear which side of this equation everyone would rather be on.

I am so fed up with Mandred and his burning desire to change something every offseason. First, he changes the ball, creating some gross mutation of the game. Then, he lies about it like a total schmuk. Now, he wants to change it again. Just get that dirtbag out of there.

Let’s be honest, if he looked like Jake Cave or Ehire Adrianza, nobody would care.

I have some concerns about that bullpen. Robles and Theilbar at 4 and 5? Woof. Last year we were looking at guys like May and Clippard in that area (assuming Romo fell in the top 3 as he was used for much of his time here). It’s not an awful ‘pen on paper, but it’s certainly gone backwards since last year. That’s also assuming best case scenario. That’s if Rogers returns to form, and Robles is significantly better (like, massively better). If Rogers continues to struggle and Robles is still awful, the pen could be downright bad and lose a boatload of leads.

Getting May is the kind of move I could get behind. He’s still a couple years from arbitration, already has 9 playoff appearances (including 2 in a World Series). He’s got nasty power stuff. May is right now what we hope Duran will be in a couple years, but they’re the same age. No thanks on Price, although that’s probably more in the historical Twins’ style. The Dodgers would have to pay me to take him. He’s old and expensive. He hasn’t pitched since 2019. The Sox are loaded with monster RH bats (Abreu, Moncada, Jiminez, Robert, Vaughn, even Anderson and Madrigal). Besides, would he even want to come end his career on a team that hasn’t been beyond the Divisional series, basically this century (what was it, 2001 or 2)?

“With his own beliefs” Oh no! Not that, anything but that! He’s one of the most heady, knowledgeable pitchers in the game. You disagreeing with his politics doesn’t make him a head case. Oh, and he just won the CY YOUNG. What’s the difference between his throwing a ball over the centerfield wall (which was awesome) or a hitter beating up the water cooler in the dugout or slamming their bat into the ground after a strikeout (see Josh Donaldson, who I’m sure you love for his competitive fire). Give me the fiery competitor over the milquetoast guy every day. And I don’t care about athletes opinions on politics.

I would trade all of those guys for Bauer with zero thought required, which is probably about right money-wise for 2021. Bauer’s total contract is also right in the same range in terms of total dollars as Donaldson ($10M difference, which is nothing over multiple seasons). I’d take 2 years of Bauer at $85 Million (he can opt out after 2 years) over 4 years of Donaldson for $92 (really 3 years because he was useless last year) without a thought as well. There isn’t a reasonable person on the planet that wouldn’t. It’s a bit of a stretch to compare our roster construction methods to the Dodgers who have obtained arguably the best pitcher and position player in the game in the past 12 months. The Dodgers aren’t claiming guys off of waivers with the anticipation of them being a contributor. They just won the World Series. Nobody in the history of the world has lost more consecutive playoff games than we have, in any sport. We’re not on the same planet as the Dodgers at this point. They play chess, we play checkers.

That’s a very optimistic take. Could it be that other clubs weren’t that interested? The clubs that refused to bite on a $100 million dollar deal for Donaldson look like the tactical ones at the moment. He’s taking up the largest proportion of our payroll. He’s played in 28 games, was just OK at the plate, and wasn’t on the playoff roster. It’s really difficult for me to call that a resounding tactical victory at the moment. If he can’t stay healthy, it’s very debilitating roster wise. That’s a big risk, and probably not much more shrewd than playing more to get someone you can count on to anchor the lineup for a full season. That’s where I get nervous about Cruz having a down year. There’s a reason why front offices around the league with unlimited analytical resources weren’t interested. If any contenders out there thought he was going to give them 130+ games of a .950 OPS on a one year deal, I don’t think he’d be here. It’s extremely risky to have your team built around a 42 year old that can’t play defense and a guy with chronic calf injuries. Could work out well, but it’s more gambling than tactical. Which, at the end of the day, is better than doing nothing I guess.

My vote would be Polanco. He’s too good a hitter. I think if this team is going to win the division, they need Donaldson to have a big year. I’m just not sure he can stay healthy. Garver bouncing back would be great, but with Jeffers there it doesn’t hurt as much. Another lost year for Donaldson would be a killer.

It’s better now than it was two weeks ago. But, I still don’t think we’re a better team than 2019 or 2020. None of these guys excite me much. We couldn’t accomplish anything with Cruz playing out of his mind, and he’ll likely regress. Simmons isn’t particularly potent offensively and has dealt with injury issues. If he’s healthy all year, he’ll help. But, he’s just another name on the long list of recent injury issues on this roster. Colome isn’t a significant upgrade over May. If he was, wouldn’t the White Sox has brought him back on that deal instead of paying an arm and leg for Hendriks? These are good players, don’t get me wrong. But, I just don’t see how dropping Rosario and picking up Simmons brings this club any closer to playoff success.

I wish I was as optimistic as some, but I find it hard to get excited. This isn’t an “addition.” It’s a lateral move at best. In fact, the average-ish offense (2019 is long gone, folks) isn’t going to get any better by putting Simmons in the lineup everyday in place of Polanco or Arraez and eliminating a .280 30 HR player (Rosario), no matter how poorly some think of him. The rotation has taken a step back. I’d rather have Odorizzi and Hill than Happ. You can cancel out Hill and Happ and we’re basically just down Odorizzi. The bullpen has gone backwards. I’d rather have May and Clippard than Colome, and Robles is subtraction by addition. We’ve improved the defense. But not sure that’s enough to compensate for the other areas. The team is still full of aging or recently injured (or both) players at a significant number of key spots (3B, CF, SS, DH, 2B, RF, C, whatever you call Arraez now). I’m not saying it’s bad to be excited. I wish I could be. But we’re not closer to a world championship caliber roster, and the chances of another significant move are slim. We’re likely further away when you factor in the looming regression of Maeda and Cruz.

Why should they accept the offer? A good number of these guys get one shot to make money that could change the trajectory of their descendants for generations, and it’s already been on hold for a year. They’ve been working for this their entire life. We’re not talking about going back empty handed to your Chanhassen cul-de-sac and watching Netflix with Wal-Mart delivering your groceries. We’re also not talking about Mike Trout and Nelson Cruz types, who already have millions in the bank. How many questioning their decision have family living in abject poverty in Venezuela, for example? And how many are still collecting their salary from their home office in Chanhassen? Wild guess, but I’m leaning towards the latter.

I tend to agree with some of the sentiments above. If he doesn’t want to come back in a manner that helps the team make a run this year, move on. Great player, but what has he gotten the Twins thus far? A nice stat line, a bunch of meaningless regular season wins, and another string of embarrassing playoff choke jobs. You have to take a different approach at some point. Definition of insanity, etc. And now, the White Sox are leaving us in their dust trail. At the end of the day, everyone likes to rip on the Ryan regime. But they were able to do something this regime hasn’t....win a playoff series (even a playoff game). The sample size is starting to grow, here. You only get a free pass for so long. Frankly, I couldnt care less about sentimental, every loves Cruz, narratives. Either make some moves to get this thing over the hump or blow it up.

I actually feel the exact opposite about all three.

He’s spot on about the pitching. That’s something I’ve noticed with most Twins fans currently, way too confident in the rotation. Maria will regress. Berrios is what he is at this point (inconsistent). Pineda is one cheeseburger and failed drug test from being out of the league. Nobody else is worth talking about in terms of a playoff rotation. It kills me to say it, but the White Sox are the better club right now. I’m not sure it’s as close as some think.

Sorry to say, but if he’s trying to win a World Series, he wouldn’t be coming back here (and maybe that’s what he’s waiting for). We’re not even the best team in the division. The White Sox just blew our “window” shut with an aggressive offseason that we can only dream of (if you can call competing for the worst division in baseball for a couple years, while everyone else is in an intentional rebuild, and being embarrassingly uncompetitive in the playoffs, a “window”). We watched arguably the greatest roster in Twins history (2019), and the runner up for Cy Young (Maeda) and MVP (Cruz) in 2020....basically the best case scenario two years in a row....and still got brushed out of the first round like a gnat. Not even a sliver of belonging there. Do we really think the roster is better into 2021? If we’re not going to make some more impactful moves, we’ll be lucky to make the playoffs. If we do, Maeda, Berrios, and Pineda just aren’t going to get through multiple playoff series. We just don’t have the starting rotation or bullpen to compete at that level. We’ve seen it play out 3 of the last 4 years. Bring up all the regular season stats you want, it’s just a sad truth right now. J.A. Happ does absolutely nothing to remedy that. I’d rather have Hill and Odorizzi at 4/5 than Happ and Dobnak during the regular season. We also haven’t replaced two of our better relievers (May and Clippard). On top of that, is there a position player on the roster right now that doesn’t have injury issues? Donaldson and Buxton will get hurt. Simmons, Polanco, Arraez, Sano, Kepler, and Garver have also dealt with injuries. Maybe I’m just a cynical old Twins’ fan, but the guys seriously looking for titles are going elsewhere.

The only place that would’ve been worse is the White Sox. I really liked Rosario. When he’s on one of his hot streaks, there may nobody in the game more fun to watch hit. He gets a lot of crap, but he was a big part of these good teams we’ve had recently. He hit a lot of big home runs.

The defense is taking a huge leap with Simmons. There is now a premier gold-glove caliber defender covering the left side of the infield and everywhere up the middle (aside from 2B). We’re all of the sudden the best defensive club in the MLB, arguably.

Lewis has the higher upside at a premium position. That may make him the best prospect to some, and that’s perfectly reasonable. I think Kirilloff is more likely to succeed and stick at the major league level. There is no question about his ability to hit. There is with Lewis.

I love it, if there’s more to come. Without another middle of the order bat, maybe two, were not a playoff team.

Buxton is way too low, IMO.

I agree with Boras. It’s not all that different than politics, IMO. They have their club, where these crusty, corrupted individuals sit in their positions for a lifetime. In order to be truly effective they need to venture outside of that. Some semblance of integrity and threat of consequence for malfeasance would also help (as opposed to covering for fraud, steroid use, cheating, etc.). Being able to fully trust that the integrity of the game is upheld, and their team is getting a fair shake, would go a long way with fans.