rdehring

Did you have to remind us of their drafting success, Cody? One superstar (#2 pick) who has trouble staying on the field. That was a great pick that still could work out. But most of the other four were also higher in the round and they have nothing, zip, nada to show for it. Where would the Twins be had they hit on one star, one solid starter and one valuable reserve out of those four? Yuck!

Great news, Seth. I would have been shocked had they not added Rortvedt as no one has higher expectations for him than I. Yes, not even Tom who wrote a wonderful report on the young lad. After all, I married a gal who was living in Verona when we met and that has worked out really well for going on 50 years. The marriage between Rortvedt and the the Twins only has to last ten to fifteen years, which I expect it will. Had been asking about Ober all summer with no one knowing anything. Guess the Twins were keeping tabs on him even though he wasn't in St. Paul. Wonder if they just let him heal from several nagging injuries of 2019? Most of the best known names to us, Jax, Javier, Rijos, etc. all passed thru the Rule 5 draft last December. Will be shocked if anyone is taken this year.

Whether AAA or AA, would love to see the Twins working with Fargo. Great baseball town. My son's Legion Team used to play in a tourney there every summer. Loved that trip. Unfortunately, there isn't a good fit in AA distance wise. Although would love to see Fargo, St. Paul still is the best fit.

Another fantastic interview, Seth, thanks. What I am learning as I watch these is that the Twins have an exciting group of well spoken, intelligent young men on their way to Minnesota. Have to believe this organization is in excellent hands over the coming years. Was good to learn that it doesn't appear that his injury is going to have any effect on him in 2021. With both Brent and AK in the wings, I expect the Twins are going to be taking a hard look at opening up a couple spots on their projected roster. With the great news on the vaccine front, the Twins may not be looking to cut their payroll a lot next year. If that is the case, they could use the savings from Brent and AK filling two spots for another improvement on the team, say pitching. I think he proved last summer that he will hit a lot of home runs in his Twins career. Would you agree, Seth, that he is also likely to have a reasonable batting average rather than be just another power guy? There isn't any need for him to downplay his families love of the Packers as I suspect I am not the only Packer fan here at Twins Daily.

No, he is the Twins most valuable player. Sit down and work out an extension.

Appreciate all of these, Seth, keep'em coming. An interview I would love to hear would be with Ober. Really intrigued by his performance in '19, never heard why he wasn't included at the ALT site last summer or in Instructional League.

Not a clue what to expect from the Twins or anybody this winter, but, very interesting thoughts...thanks. What I do expect is something that will be a total surprise to all of us. Not certain anyone had a trade for Kenta Maeda on their radar last year or Odorizzi three years ago. Hopefully, there will be something happening prior to Christmas as we need something positive to talk and think about over what is going to be one hell of a winter. God willing we are all still here come opening day.

Yes, yes and yes. Just not for the same dollars he got last year. But I want him back as our #3, pushing Pineda to #4. That would be one heck of a rotation with the Dobber filling out #5.

Great read, Mike, thanks! As you know, I have been a huge fan of Rosario since he was at Elizabethton however many years ago. Will be interesting to see what the Twins do. Have a feeling they may not think they have only two options, release him or go to arbitration. With all the unknowns in the World, they may just sit down and do a one or two year deal that both sides can live with. The biggest question I have from your numbers is Kepler's D. I refuse to believe that he is negative defensively. Maybe he took a hit in 2019 when he played much of the season with various injuries because most of the others outfielders weren't available.

I understand that there are a lot of reasons calling for the Twins to move on from Rosario. Yet, I question those who say he isn't good defensively or on the bases. Yes, he makes some boneheaded plays defensively, but they are offset by brilliant plays that once in awhile wins a big game. I am guessing that the wins equal losses caused by his defensive mistakes. On the bases, I don't see a poor baserunner, rather, an aggressive one. Yes, there will be a few outs. But aren't they more than offset by all the times he takes that extra base? On the other hand, a growing salary with the expected arrival of Kirilloff seems to make his departure the smart move. But is it? I could see the Twins using Kirilloff more at first base while being available to fill in at either corner outfield spot as an injury replacement. I guess my point is that you don't have to get rid of Rosario to fit Kirilloff into a 2021 roster. And I for one won't be surprised if we see the Twins announce an agreement with Eddie on or before December 2, even if it is a one or two year deal.

Got a feeling all you who pencil Rooker in to first would be disappointed. From what I understand, Sano is better defensively, perhaps a lot!

Thanks, Seth, for another great interview. Really impressed with Cody, what a sharp young man. Kept thinking while you were talking about the U of Maine that I had an old friend who went out there and was an assistant coach for the Black Bears hockey team for probably 20 years. Would have been gone before Cody got there, but was wondering if he ever crossed paths with Grant Standbrook. With yesterday's Pfizer news and today's Eli Lily news, could we all be so fortunate to be one big step closer to having a normal spring summer of baseball? Thanks again, really enjoyed his discussion about what last summer was like for him and the extra 2 mph on his fastball. Do you know where that puts it at?

Very interesting news, Seth. Kind of makes sense to have the FSL with teams in many spring training ballparks be one step up from the rookie ball teams that are also located there. Will love seeing Cedar Rapids as Hi-A. Have mixed emotions about losing P'Cola as their AA team. Liked everything about that team from the league to location of the ballpark. Will be interesting to see where they end up for AA.

The link, Seth, takes you to the Nov. 4 interview with Blankenhorn. Looking forward to listening to this interview, thought he had a fantastic year however long ago it was when he broke in at ETon. Is it final, are the ETon Twins toast next year?

I often see comments about the so-so numbers Kirilloff put up at AA two years ago. Yet, few mention that he played all or most of the year with a wrist injury. I wasn't there, but have to assume that it had a significant impact on his production.

Will agree with those who see Kirilloff at first base a lot over the coming years. To many moving parts to have anything set in stone today, but will not be surprised if both Rosario and Cruz are not with the Twins in 2021....assuming there is a 2021 season. If all three of Sano, Rooker and Kirilloff are in the lineup, I would put Sano at first, Rooker at DH and Kirilloff in left.

I have two must adds, Balazovic and Rortvedt. But then I have been high on the kid from Verona since the day he was drafted. With Garver falling back to earth hard last year, there is a chance that Rortvedt ends up the best of the three catchers we all like, Garver, Jeffers and Rortvedt. Unfortunately, with a year off, Ben won't be ready to break in until at least 2022 at the earliest. Don't know how the Twins and other teams will deal with players who passed thru the Rule 5 draft last year, players like Javier, Rijo, Jax, Wiel? Will be surprised if any are protected. Expect there will be at least two more protected in addition to the above duo. Your guess is as good as mine, although I expect I will be very surprised with at least one. The pitcher I really don't want to lose is Ober, but don't see anyone taking him with his not even being on the Alternate Squad this summer.

Another great interview, Seth. For whatever reason, he is one prospect I never understood where he might fit in. Maybe because he didn't come on strong until, was it 2019? Also, more of a utility guy that hasn't settled into one spot. But thank you for allowing us to get to know him better. Interesting how good he was, and successful, at two other sports. One question you didn't ask is where they are going on their honeymoon. With all the restrictions regarding COVID, curious where anyone can go at this time.

I would prefer Odorizzi over Kluber, even if his cost is a few million higher. Will be surprised if the opening day payroll is the $123M you project, my guess would be at least $5M-$10M lower, maybe more. Don't know why so many are slotting Blankenhorn in as a utility guy on opening day. What did he have last year, one game? Maybe some day, but not opening day next year. Also don't see the Twins spending $18M for any free agent next year. My guess is if they don't resign Cruz, the DH spot will be filled by several current Twins rotating thru the position, Sano, Garver, Jeffers, Kirilloff, or Rooker.

Don't have any of the social media to listen live, Seth, but just finished listening to the above link. After a summer of no minor league ball and less information about what was happening to these kids, any information is appreciated. Want to thank you so much for bringing us these. Also want to comment that the Steer interview was about as good as any I have heard done by anyone...period. Seems like a sharp young man. Loved his description of what he is doing to develop more power. Don't have a clue whether or not they are similar players, but reminds me a bit of Brian Dozier as he was coming thru the system. Could we be so fortunate to have the same result? Thanks again, Seth!

Timely article, Nick. It is my understanding that the $3.1B number was lost revenue, not bottom line. Is that your understanding as well? But the actual losses were real with many teams losing north of $100M, if we can believe their comments. As for fans in the stands next year, short of something happening on the vaccine front very soon I cannot see Minnesota allowing more than minimal fans should the season open on time in April. So I don't see how the Twins can plan for anything other than a substantial cut in salaries. I also foresee another negotiation you haven't mentioned, that being between teams regarding sharing ticket revenue if say the Rangers can have nearly full stadiums and the Twins are limited to 1,500 fans. Don't know how that discussion will be handled, unless it already is as part of prior agreements. Are you aware if that is covered in their existing revenue sharing agreements?

Assume they need to go on the 40-man?

Interesting read, Seth. Add me to those who are excited for this year's Hot Stove League to begin. Would be fine penciling Dobnak into the #5 slot as long as there was some competition for that spot. Don't know what to think about Thorpe and Smeltzer. Liked both a lot in 2019, not so much last summer. Ok to bring back, but need more competition for the #5 slot and depth. Could come from one of the younger prospects, a AAAA pitcher or two, and possibly a veteran reclamation project like Hill last year. Heck, who knows it could be Hill for the right dollars. A lot of people are saying most teams lost north of $100M last year. Doubt the Twins lost that much, but expect it was closer to $100M than break-even. So we don't know what type of budget the FO is going to be working with, especially with no one knowing if fans will be back and how many? Will they have +/-$5M to work with, $10M or more? Doubt there will be the $30M needed to go after Bauer. The pitcher I would be most interested in is on your list but not one of your targets, Odorizzi. Would be very comfortable with him back as our #3 or #4. Fill out the rotation with Dobber and the staff should again be a strong part of the 2021 Twins. That's assuming there is a season in 2021.

A first example that dollars are going to be at a premium in 2020. Personally, I expect the 2020 budget to be down at least 10% and if it continues to appear there will be no fans to start the season, perhaps as much as 25% lower. Good news is that most teams will be in the same spot, making cheaper one year contracts available for lots of players.

No specific questions, Seth. But have a feeling this kid just might be one of those top pitching prospects that develops into a player like the Indians seem to have several of debuting each year. Won't be able to watch at 11:30, assume can do so later tonight.