rdehring

Love it when Seth gets credit for something minor league related that he didn't write. With that said, must agree with your grades, David, although I would have give Kirilloff a straight A and eliminate the minus. I don't have a clue what the Twins will do with Rosario over the winter, or Sano for that matter. But I do expect to see Kirilloff on their opening day roster even if sharing time in left while splitting time at first with the odd man out that day's DH.

I find the criticism about the Twins losing Hendriks, Anderson, Curtiss and Slegers interesting. But what I have either never or almost never seen is a discussion of the situation the Twins faced when they made that decision. In most cases, it was fall with the Rule 5 draft approaching. I no longer have the data readily available as to who was added when Anderson was traded. But had they kept Anderson, they most certainly would have lost someone else. Yes, it stings when someone like Hendriks or Anderson takes that next step and becomes one of the better pitchers in the game. But making those decisions must be put into context with what the situation was at the time. Much more difficult than looking at it years later.

Add me to the list of those who really appreciated this article and the work you put forth, thanks Nick. I question whether the budget may actually see a bigger cut than 10%, perhaps as much as 20-25% if there is a strong possibility that it will again be a season without fans. With that said, I would cut ties with Romo and bring back May. Yes, a few dollars (or million) more, but would work to find them elsewhere.

Thanks, Seth. Always like this guy, we will see within a week or so what they do.

Dollars are going to be at a premium in 2021 with their budget going down. So I bring back Adrianza for a salary similar to last year. It was $1,500,000, wasn't it? The second option for infield backup will be from the minors and signing some AAAA vet with some major league experience. Also shouldn't be a need for the utility guy to play any first base as that will be taken by either Rooker or Kirilloff.

Seth, do you know anything about the 18 year old pitcher the Twins signed a week ago, Eduardo Soriano? I can't find anything, other than a tennis player somewhere with the same name.

When I read the headline, Cody, was hoping that your report would include information of who is doing what down at the Instructional camp. Unfortunately, it is a recap of who some of the Twins top prospects are, or should be. I would be ecstatic to hear some actual news. Something like there is a sign that Cavaco or Javier, two of the Twins most expensive signings over the past 5-6 years, is showing something on the field after their disastrous performances of the past. Would love to hear if Balazovic is doing something better than last time out over a year ago, something that gives us hope he can join the Twins by late next year? It shouldn't just be the teams we are playing that have an exciting young starter on the hill, should it? After having missed all of 2020, don't know how anyone can rank the Top prospects. Talk about them and discuss where they were and what they need to accomplish, certainly. But we really don't have a clue who has improved. I for one cannot tell you how badly I am looking for some first hand reports...damn, its been too bloody long.

What a tough situation management is in beginning with no idea how many fans will be allowed to attend games, if any? Have to believe their budget is going to be much lower than 2020, especially if the 30 teams did lose $3.0 billion as I read in the Strib this morning. With that said, will be interesting how they deal with all the above in arbitration. Also will be interesting how the arbitrators will rule. Will they take into consideration the uncertainties facing the game? Would think they should, but does the CBA allow for it or more likely silent. Would love to see them extend Duffey and Buxton. Just don't know how much Rogers was affected by his role as player rep?

A little off topic, John, but does anyone know anything about the 18-year old pitcher the Twins signed the other day...Eduardo Soriano? Have searched and can find nothing, zip. Means he is probably foreign.

Yes, no, I don't know. I guess it depends on what they can get. As the Maeda deal showed us, they may be capable of getting a very good player back who fills another need for a championship team. It is also possible that the Twins and everyone else will overlook his performance from 2020 as so many players didn't perform well in this whacky season. Why do people keep referring to the bad Ortiz trade. If memory serves, he was cut loose by the Twins, not traded. After a winter of no one coming up with an offer, he finally got the call from Boston late in the offseason. Or was it after spring training had started? After not receiving a lot of attention, Ortiz took a big chip on his shoulder to Boston and proved all of baseball wrong, not just the Twins. I have thought Kirilloff can be a very good first baseman since seeing him play there down in Cedar Rapids.

Romo, Avila and Gonzalez...go. Adrianza, resign if it can be done for a cost similar to 2020. Try to resign both Clippard and May with Clippard on a deal similar to 2020 and May up to $5M per for a couple years. Try to get Odorizzi on a one or two year deal for up to five million less than last year's QO. Resign Hill if you can do it on a one year deal for a couple million max. Would be hesitant to resign Cruz on a two year deal and would love to have him back for one.

I'm not going to quibble with anyone taking the time to research every inning this year, Parker, but my memory tells me there were more than just one. As for the one you showed, that was the beginning of the end for Dobnak. I seem to recall several runs scored on weak ground balls. Were they all in that same disastrous inning? Some may have been on their crazy shifts which also drive me nuts. I expect their advanced data tells them the shifts work more than not...but not real certain that holds when you have a ground ball machine like Dobnak on the mound. But varying from the data sheet would require the manager to make a decision against what I suspect the organization has rules that are cast in stone.

What a great trade, Seth, one in which both sides got something they needed. When you add the favorable contract, the Twins came out better than they could have hoped for. Only question I have, will Maeda be as good in 2021 assuming a full 162 game season? I expect he will as he fits the true definition of a 'pitcher.'

Interesting topic that drove me over the edge this year. Have no problem with their bringing the infield in with a runner on third with less than two outs and no on else on base. But with one out, why not play the middle infield deep and go for the inning ending double play. Too often saw them not do that and the runner scored on a dribbler thru the infield.

The problem isn't only the bad call, rather, how it affects the outcome of the game. A bad call that doesn't change an at bat or lead to a run scored or not scored is a bad call that you can live with. But, a bad call making the count 0-2 rather than 1-1 in a close game with no outs and a runner on first can be huge. The difference this year is that I remember way to many bad calls that led to shutting down an inning the Twins were looking at potentially scoring. For that reason, I believe MLB must go to robo umps as soon as 2022...assuming there is a 2022. Hopefully, there are enough Donaldson's out there so that the players union will push for this change in the next CBA.

Count me among those, John, who see the payroll down to the $100M to $110M range. With that restriction, I don't see them signing a big name starter. Also isn't room for Rosario or Cruz, unless Cruz is willing to come back for a max of $10M. I see Adrianza returning, provided he is willing to do so for a salary similar to last year or a $2M max. The other utility player after a month of seasoning at Rochester will be Lewis, playing 4-5 games a week at second, short, third and center. I bring back one of May or Clippard and resign Rogers as I think some of his problems this year were related to COVID and his role as player rep. Yes, that already puts me over $110M and I don't have a #4 starter. I see them getting that player via trade. Considering the numbers you presented above, the player I trade is Sano. Also would consider signing Rosario and then trading him along with a mid-prospect for a better prospect who is close. Expect the payroll will be around $110M on opening day and we will see two of Rooker, Kirilloff, Larnach or Lewis on the opening day roster with Lewis joining them after playing a lot of second, short, third and center at Rochester for a month or so, becoming the new Marwin Gonzalez until he settles into his own spot in future years. On the COVID front, John, I don't see a lot of people in the stands on opening day unless both a vaccine and treatment is readily available to the masses. [And that likelihood is getting smaller every day.] Maybe a couple thousand, but nothing approaching full attendance. And with that uncertainty, the Twins and most clubs are going to be cutting their payrolls substantially, So maybe there is hope that most of the numbers you and others are presenting will be much higher than needed to sign someone like say, Odorizzi.

Now, let's get Berrios extended this winter, along with Buxton. Want to comment on everyone writing Dobnak off for the future. From what I saw, his problems late weren't that anyone was hitting him especially hard. Rather, his ball which normally moves a lot was moving way more than normal. Saw so many pitches move a lot and way out of the strike zone. Result was that he was constantly 2-0 or 3-0 in those last couple games. Not a clue what could have caused this, but certainly seems like something that can be fixed. Would be much more concerned if hitters were teeing off on him. Might also help a groundball pitcher if the Twins didn't shift as much or bring the infield in early in the game with a runner on third.

I normally cringe when I see comments proposing that the Twins spend big dollars on veteran starting pitchers. But your comment above actually makes sense, at least to me. I expect the Twins payroll in 2021 will be less than this year, perhaps a lot less. But should they cut ties with one of several players to make room for a prospect, they just might be able to free up $30mm for a one year contract with Bauer. And one year is the only way I would be comfortable with big dollars to a pitcher. And who knows, the Twins might be high on Bauer's list of teams he would like to play for. He is familiar with the Twins, they are a contender and he wouldn't have to pitch to Max Kepler.

The reasons you listed for trading this trio is the biggest reason why the Twins should keep them and build around them and Buxton. There are others on this team who could also be traded should the FO be serious about opening a spot for one of the young studs or part of a package for a top pitcher.

No one has been a bigger fan of Thorpe than I. But after watching him struggle this past season, am beginning to believe that with his stuff he has to be perfect on every pitch to be successful. And that just ain't gonna happen over a long season. So count me amongst those who remain hopeful...but a big doubter.

What happens to Max's power totals for this crazy, short year if the Reds had started Trevor Bauer in one of their three games this season? As crazy as my above comment is, this season was equally crazy. Other than the pain from going two and out again, let's put the entire year behind us and forget it. I believe Max was becoming the player he can be in 2019 and the best is yet to come. I honestly believe he has the potential to be very good for the next ten plus years, so good he could someday be considered for the HOF. So for me, he is as close to untouchable as any Twin should be. I also believe that of the three young studs coming up, Rooker, Kirilloff and Larnach, Kirilloff is going to be special. But you don't need to trade away Kepler, or Rosario, to get him onto the diamond at Target Field. If anyone gets moved, put Kirilloff at first base and trade your K man in every other at bat. Watched most of the Rays game against that team from New York last night. Wow, that is an exciting team to watch. Sure made me question my thoughts all year that our bullpen was as good as any...not. Do have a question for the guys at TD. Could someone do a position by position comparison between the Rays starting 9 and the Twins? How many of the Rays starters would start if they were on the Twins. Yet, they are headed to the League championship series and sure looks like a favorite to me.

Hadn't been a big fan of Wade. But the more I saw last year, he grew on me. Think I would agree with those who prefer him to Cave as the 4th outfielder.

Yes, we found out how useless RBI were in the recent Houston series. I'll take a guy that drives em in...and yes, I understand that no one on the team other than Cruz had any RBI in that series.

Love Eddie and would be happy should the Twins extend him and he remains a Twin. With that said, understand the need/desire to open a spot(s) for Kirilloff, Rooker and Larnach. With a desire to find at least one of those at the beginning of next year, will be curious to see what the Twins do. Truth is they can probably create a spot by keeping one of their most exciting players (most exciting when Buxton is not in the lineup)...IMO.

Yes, no, maybe? A lot depends on whether he is willing to accept a one year deal or one year with an option. When players get to his age, isn't smart for teams to be guaranteeing two years unless the total dollars is near what you would pay for one good year. Also depends on the insider knowledge management has regarding his health and general physical condition towards the end of last year. No question, he began wearing down the last several weeks. And that was only a two month season. Should he begin wearing down after 6 weeks of a six month season it could be ugly. We just don't have the knowledge needed to know.