All Things 2022-2023 Minnesota Twins Off-Season Thread

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From the Parkinglot said:
Yeah I saw all the bloggers do back flips to try and rationalize the signing. They also loved the Joey gallo signing cause just what if it works and he has a breakout season.

Every signing the twins make the bloggers love cause the twins can fix the person.
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In this situation though, I don't really see the downside. It's a small amount of money. If it doesn't work out, it isn't a big deal. If it does, it's a great deal for the Twins.
 

From the Parkinglot said:
Yeah I saw all the bloggers do back flips to try and rationalize the signing. They also loved the Joey gallo signing cause just what if it works and he has a breakout season.

Every signing the twins make the bloggers love cause the twins can fix the person.
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The same people think trading Luis Arreaz for Pablo Lopez is a steal.

I don't have a problem with this extension, but buying out one year of free agency for $8 million on a guy who hasn't proven anything isn't some great heist either.
 


GophersInIowa said:
In this situation though, I don't really see the downside. It's a small amount of money. If it doesn't work out, it isn't a big deal. If it does, it's a great deal for the Twins.
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Who are we talking about Gallo or Paddock?

My inexpert opinion they are both meaningless signings for players the twins didn’t need.

The twins were going to pay for Paddock to rehab all of 2023 already and had him for 2024 with arbitration. Yeah maybe you got him cheaper in 2025 by buying out a year of free agency. Of course maybe his arm falls off and that money was just set on fire.

The same can be said of Gallo. The guy is basically a replacement for Kepler who they now have to trade and he cost more then Kepler.

You add all these things up including guys like Randy Dobnak and this front office has burned through a lot of money on bad players signed to “good” contracts. Just more dumpster diving.
 

From the Parkinglot said:
Who are we talking about Gallo or Paddock?

My inexpert opinion they are both meaningless signings for players the twins didn’t need.

The twins were going to pay for Paddock to rehab all of 2023 already and had him for 2024 with arbitration. Yeah maybe you got him cheaper in 2025 by buying out a year of free agency. Of course maybe his arm falls off and that money was just set on fire.

The same can be said of Gallo. The guy is basically a replacement for Kepler who they now have to trade and he cost more then Kepler.

You add all these things up including guys like Randy Dobnak and this front office has burned through a lot of money on bad players signed to “good” contracts. Just more dumpster diving.
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Paddock.

Every team has guys that aren't superstars. Again, little risk with a descent chance of a good reward.

It's not the move of the century or anything and no one is claiming so.
 


could be interesting with Arraez on arbitration hearings.

Twins offered $5-Million. Arraez filed asking for $6.1-Million.

MLB Trade Rumors had projected Arraez at $5-Million.

no dispute the guy can hit. but he doesn't have a natural fielding position, and provides no power.
so how much is 'popularity' worth?

on another topic, I keep hearing that the Twins have been shopping Kepler, but are receiving very low offers in return. If they move him, could be more likely that Kepler is a piece of a larger deal.

AND - dates are official. for the MN Twins -

Pitchers and catchers report Thurs, Feb 16. Position Players on Monday, Feb 20.

33 Days to Baseball. 20 Minutes to Wapner.
 

short ornery norwegian said:
could be interesting with Arraez on arbitration hearings.

Twins offered $5-Million. Arraez filed asking for $6.1-Million.

MLB Trade Rumors had projected Arraez at $5-Million.

no dispute the guy can hit. but he doesn't have a natural fielding position, and provides no power.
so how much is 'popularity' worth?
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And to think, Mauer was worth 25 million a year(or whatever hell the number was) for the same thing. Oh, the good old days.
 

howeda7 said:
The same people think trading Luis Arreaz for Pablo Lopez is a steal.

I don't have a problem with this extension, but buying out one year of free agency for $8 million on a guy who hasn't proven anything isn't some great heist either.
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Right, but starting pitcher salaries are only going to go up. I see it as a smart gamble. Rich Hill is getting 8 million from the Pirates this year.
 

kg21 said:
And to think, Mauer was worth 25 million a year(or whatever hell the number was) for the same thing. Oh, the good old days.
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Mauer received that contract because he was a multi-year all-star, gold glove winner, and MVP at catcher. Far and away the best catcher in the MLB at that time. He's not even remotely comparable to Arraez.
 



I hate the idea of moving Arraez, especially for a .500 pitcher. I know the negatives on him, but he's one of the few guys the Twins have with an above average OBP. Need guys on base to score runs. Also think he's a good presence in the dugout.
 








Lucked out with this one. They gave up 3 of their top 10 prospects. He’ll be a free agent after this season.

 

Breakin' The Plane said:
Right, but starting pitcher salaries are only going to go up. I see it as a smart gamble. Rich Hill is getting 8 million from the Pirates this year.
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The fact that Dick Mountain is not only still pitching - but that he's getting $8-freakin Million - is just mind-boggling. 18 years in the big leagues - 19 counting this year.

Pittsburgh will be the 12th different team he's played for. He has had 3 different stints with the Red Sox.

82-59 career W-L record. 3.85 ERA. He will turn 43 in March.

Rich Hill - the Keith Richards of baseball. He will go on forever.
 


GopherWeatherGuy said:
Mauer received that contract because he was a multi-year all-star, gold glove winner, and MVP at catcher. Far and away the best catcher in the MLB at that time. He's not even remotely comparable to Arraez.
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yes, but he then proceeded to go out and not even put up Arraez numbers.

I get how the 25 million happened, but people still defended the guy and his numbers to their death.
 



GopherWeatherGuy said:
Why is everyone so focused on Alcantara? Because he plays for Miami?

The weird thing for me about Alcantara compared to most other aces, is his strikeout rate is pretty low despite throwing hard and having 4 legit pitches. Something doesn't add up there, and it makes me wonder about him long term.
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Miami has a surplus of starting pitching and their big addition this offseason to a bottom 5 offense so far has been Jean Segura. So there's a good chance they move a starter for some combination of a major league hitter and minor leaguers.

Alcantara has put up close to ace level numbers the last two seasons (12.2 WAR ESPN, 10.0 Fangraphs) and is under contract at a very reasonable $11 AAV through 2027.

Miami also has a track record of trading anyone that makes more than peanuts.
 

boy, they sure have scaled back the Twins Winter Caravan.

I remember when they used to have multiple groups of players, coaches and broadcasters going out around MN, the Dakotas and more.

Now, for this year, there are just three 'legs' of the caravan, and several events that are not open to the public. and they don't exactly have the top players on the roster.......

Leg 1 (Tuesday, January 24 – Wednesday, January 25)​

Attendees: 2022 National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Tony Oliva and his wife Gordette; Twins Hall of Famer and current television analyst Justin Morneau; Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers and left-handed pitcher Caleb Thielbar; and longtime Twins television play-by-play voice Dick Bremer
Tuesday, January 24
  • Hitchcock, South Dakota (Hitchcock Tulare Elementary School) for a visit with students and community members in Gordette Oliva’s hometown
  • Brookings, South Dakota (South Dakota State University) for a Hot Stove event with WNAX-AM at the shared alma mater of Caleb Thielbar and his wife, Carissa (in her ninth season as an assistant women’s basketball coach for the defending WNIT champion Jackrabbits)
Wednesday, January 25
  • Luverne, Minnesota (Minnesota Veterans Home) for a private visit with veterans
  • Mankato, Minnesota (The Kato Ballroom) for a Hot Stove event in partnership with KTOE-AM

Leg 2 (Tuesday, January 24 – Wednesday, January 25)​

Attendees: Twins Hall of Famer and longtime radio voice Dan Gladden; Twins utility player Nick Gordon, infielder Jose Miranda and third base/outfield coach Tommy Watkins; and Twins broadcaster Kris Atteberry
Tuesday, January 24
  • Minneapolis, Minnesota (Southside Village Boys & Girls Club) for a private youth clinic in partnership with the St. Paul Saints
  • St. Cloud, Minnesota (Rivers Edge Convention Center) for a Hot Stove event in partnership with WJON-AM
Wednesday, January 25
  • Fargo, North Dakota (Sanctuary Events Center) for a Hot Stove event in partnership with KFGO-AM

Leg 3 (Sunday, January 29 – Tuesday, January 31)​

Attendees: Twins manager Rocco Baldelli and hitting coach David Popkins; Twins right-handed pitcher Louie Varland; former Twins pitcher and current broadcaster and special assistant LaTroy Hawkins; and Twins radio play-by-play voice Cory Provus
Sunday, January 29
  • Welch, Minnesota (Treasure Island Resort & Casino) for a Hot Stove event in partnership with KWNG-FM
  • Minneapolis, Minnesota (Target Field) for a private dinner and night of watching football with youth from local nonprofit ACES (Athletes Committed to Educating Students)
Monday, January 30
  • Rochester, Minnesota (Whistle Binkies on the Lake) for a Hot Stove event in partnership with KROC-AM
Tuesday, January 31
  • Rochester, Minnesota (Ronald McDonald House) for a private baseball day with RMHC children and their families
  • Mason City, Iowa (Music Man Square) for a Hot Stove event in partnership with KGLO-AM
 

short ornery norwegian said:
boy, they sure have scaled back the Twins Winter Caravan.

I remember when they used to have multiple groups of players, coaches and broadcasters going out around MN, the Dakotas and more.

Now, for this year, there are just three 'legs' of the caravan, and several events that are not open to the public. and they don't exactly have the top players on the roster.......

Leg 1 (Tuesday, January 24 – Wednesday, January 25)​

Attendees: 2022 National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Tony Oliva and his wife Gordette; Twins Hall of Famer and current television analyst Justin Morneau; Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers and left-handed pitcher Caleb Thielbar; and longtime Twins television play-by-play voice Dick Bremer
Tuesday, January 24
  • Hitchcock, South Dakota (Hitchcock Tulare Elementary School) for a visit with students and community members in Gordette Oliva’s hometown
  • Brookings, South Dakota (South Dakota State University) for a Hot Stove event with WNAX-AM at the shared alma mater of Caleb Thielbar and his wife, Carissa (in her ninth season as an assistant women’s basketball coach for the defending WNIT champion Jackrabbits)
Wednesday, January 25
  • Luverne, Minnesota (Minnesota Veterans Home) for a private visit with veterans
  • Mankato, Minnesota (The Kato Ballroom) for a Hot Stove event in partnership with KTOE-AM

Leg 2 (Tuesday, January 24 – Wednesday, January 25)​

Attendees: Twins Hall of Famer and longtime radio voice Dan Gladden; Twins utility player Nick Gordon, infielder Jose Miranda and third base/outfield coach Tommy Watkins; and Twins broadcaster Kris Atteberry
Tuesday, January 24
  • Minneapolis, Minnesota (Southside Village Boys & Girls Club) for a private youth clinic in partnership with the St. Paul Saints
  • St. Cloud, Minnesota (Rivers Edge Convention Center) for a Hot Stove event in partnership with WJON-AM
Wednesday, January 25
  • Fargo, North Dakota (Sanctuary Events Center) for a Hot Stove event in partnership with KFGO-AM

Leg 3 (Sunday, January 29 – Tuesday, January 31)​

Attendees: Twins manager Rocco Baldelli and hitting coach David Popkins; Twins right-handed pitcher Louie Varland; former Twins pitcher and current broadcaster and special assistant LaTroy Hawkins; and Twins radio play-by-play voice Cory Provus
Sunday, January 29
  • Welch, Minnesota (Treasure Island Resort & Casino) for a Hot Stove event in partnership with KWNG-FM
  • Minneapolis, Minnesota (Target Field) for a private dinner and night of watching football with youth from local nonprofit ACES (Athletes Committed to Educating Students)
Monday, January 30
  • Rochester, Minnesota (Whistle Binkies on the Lake) for a Hot Stove event in partnership with KROC-AM
Tuesday, January 31
  • Rochester, Minnesota (Ronald McDonald House) for a private baseball day with RMHC children and their families
  • Mason City, Iowa (Music Man Square) for a Hot Stove event in partnership with KGLO-AM
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I've never gone to a stop, but not going anywhere in MN north of St. Cloud or to places like Sioux Falls/Duluth is pretty surprising.
 


GopherWeatherGuy said:
Mauer received that contract because he was a multi-year all-star, gold glove winner, and MVP at catcher. Far and away the best catcher in the MLB at that time. He's not even remotely comparable to Arraez.
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His contract was also up the year before Target Field opened. The Twins absolutely had to sign him when they did lest there be a fan rebellion going into the new ballpark.
 

GopherRock said:
His contract was also up the year before Target Field opened. The Twins absolutely had to sign him when they did lest there be a fan rebellion going into the new ballpark.
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Mauer was a gold glove catcher.
He had 10 seasons with a higher OPS than Arraez's batting champ season (2022)
He had 8 seasons with a higher OBP than Arraez's batting champ season (2022)

Even at the end when everyone, including him, knew we had to move on, he was similar to Arraez. His 2017 season was better than Arraez's 2022 season.

Mauer 2017: .305 - .384 - .417 - .801
Arraez 2022: .316 - .375 - .420 - .795
 




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