***Official 2022 Minnesota Twins season thread***
 

Well 2021 was a disaster. After 2 straight seasons of winning at a 100-game pace and back to back division titles, it all fell apart in 2021. Largely thanks to just about every single thing that could possibly go wrong with the pitching staff, going wrong. Including: Kenta being ineffective before ultimately needing TJ and missing all of 2022, the failed Al*x C*l*me experience, Happ and Shoemaker, Alcala not taking a step forward, and just about every single bullpen arm shuttled up from the minors failing to be effective. On the plus side, Joe Ryan looks legit, and Bailey Ober feels safe to pencil in as a solid back end guy to the rotation. But that may be literally all the plusses we got from the pitching side last year.

On the other thand, the bats were still solid as roughly a top third of the league offense. Polanco rebounded strong, Garver returned to mash after a slow start, Arraez did what was expected, Donaldson stayed healthy just about all year long, and of course Buxton played at an All-World level, albeit yet again for just 60 games. We also got the debut of Alex Kirilloff, whose season numbers aren't very eye popping, but if you watched him play, you saw him absolutely crush baseballs that just couldn't find gaps in the defense.

All that puts us in an odd position heading into 2022. Offensively, this team has enough to be pretty good. On the pitching side, there's a lot of gaping holes. Here's the biggest storylines to the offseason and beyond in my mind-
[LIST][*]How will the FO/ownership rebuild the pitching staff? With Berrios traded, Kenta out for the year, and Pineda headed to free agency, the only guys the Twins have penciled into the rotation right now is Ryan and Ober. If the team wants to be competitive, they need to sign 2+ quality arms. That's in addition to their normal dart throw of the Happ, Martin Perez, Rich Hill signing they like to make (which I don't have a problem with, as long as they have enough talent otherwise where they aren't completely reliant on those guys panning out, as last year is an obvious example of how that can turn out). The bullpen also has a lot of holes still. We'll be returning namely Rogers, Duffey, Thielbar, and Alcala, but each of those guys has their concerns, and Rogers and Duffey are both free agents after 2022[*]What will we do with Buxton? We all know the story. Especially in the last few year, the guy has been one of the best and most valuable players in the league while healthy. He's just not ever shown that he'll be on the field for a majority of the year. Buck is a free agent after 2022 as well, and it's old news that the team has shopped him around too. But at the same time, it sounded like we were really close to working out an extension before the trade deadline last year. I'd certainly prefer to keep him around on incentive-driven contracts so he gets the money he earns but doesn't burn you too bad if he's not on the field. But not gonna lie with his history and pending FA status, it's hard not to be curious about what he can bring in via trade[*]What do we do with Miguel Sano and Max Kepler? At this point in my mind, these guys are what they are. Sano is always going to be an ultra power, ultra strikeouts, low OBP guy. Not necessarily a bad thing if the rest of your lineup is potent enough to handle that. But we're not in 2019 anymore and I've been getting to the point where I'm ready to move on from Miggy. As for Kepler, he's looked more and more like a sole product of the juiced balls, and he seems completely uninterested in making the obvious adjustments he'd need to make to get back to an All-Star conversation worthy player. I do think Kep is worth keeping around because of how little money he's making, and the simple fact that he can cover center field and be our Buxton insurance, but I'm pretty much ready to move on from him as an everyday starter and hope we can find a way to shift him to the 4th outfielder role. Of course dependent on what all we do in free agency[*]What is the direction of the team going to be? This offseason will obviously be telling in which way the FO and ownership decides to go. I could see us not wanting to commit much of any money to anyone and be content seeing what our home grown guys do and them do more at the deadline or next year based on what they see. Not saying I like it, but it's quite possible. I could also see them going out and adding a couple impact free agents and/or trade acquisitions to help us get back on track. What we'll get, no idea. The other aspect is what the team themselves do, aside from how much help the FO gives them this offseason. If everything clicks with whatever group they've got and it looks like we're headed for October, then I expect a couple trade acquisitions midseason. If whatever group we have at the start of the year struggles again, then say bye bye to Buxton (if still no extension) and other pending free agents and we'll be right back here next season as well. One route is obviously way more exciting than the other, but it's hard to say what we'll get. I'm still hoping we avoid a true "rebuild", and I don't think there's reason to push things out years when we have guys like Polanco, Arraez, Garv, Kirilloff, Ryan, Ober in the majors now, and guys soon to join them like Miranda, Lewis, Martin Balazovic, Winder, Canterino. But you never know[/LIST]

So, we'll see how the offseason goes and what trajectory this team looks to be on heading into the spring. I'll leave it at that for now, but here and there through the offseason will put some more conversation starters together with FA and trade targets I like, opening day predictions, and so on. Go Twins!


Links to past season threads-

[URL="https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1424027"]2021[/URL]
[URL="https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1329273"]2020[/URL]
[URL="https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1250095"]2019[/URL]
[URL="https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1163158&page=70"]2018[/URL]
[URL="https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1055353"]2017[/URL]
[URL="https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=933505"]2016[/URL]
[URL="https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=799595&highlight=2015+minnesota+twins"]2015[/URL]
[URL="https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=698034&highlight=2014+minnesota+twins"]2014[/URL]

I am not concerned about Kirilloff even a little. As we eventually found out he was nursing an injured wrist all season. If that’s what he was able to do with a bad wrist, I can’t wait to see what he does next year!

As far as pitching, I am still upset about Berrios. IMO we have up our ace when we did not need to. I also do not an end point in sight for our horrendous pitching. I have no idea what the answer is, but something needs to give.

I'd like to see Alcala get some more high-leverage opportunities in 2022. He gave up 4 hits and 3 ER in an outing against the Angels on July 25, but was lights out after that outing.

In 19 outings after that one, he threw 22 innings with 27 strikeouts, a 0.82 ERA (1.85 FIP), and a slash line of .153/.197/.222. I think he figured something out and turned the corner there a bit down the stretch.

Couple of roster moves-

Added to the 40-man (ahead of R5 draft): Blayne Enlow, Royce Lewis, Jose Miranda, Cole Sands, Chris Vallimont, Josh Winder

Signed: Jake Cave

Sent to AAA: Kyle Garlick, Devin Smeltzer

DFAed: Willians Astudillo, Charlie Barnes




The biggest surprise there IMO is DFAing Astudillo. He was fun to watch, but aside from that gotta say glad he's gone. He was a way better meme than ballplayer. Easy to root for, but tough to watch swing at everything and repeatedly dribble weak grounders time and time again

You could make similar arguments against Cave, and no disagreements, but at least he actually has a position and plays a decent outfield. If he sits in the 4th/5th OF role that's just fine, I don't want to see him play more than that, and if he is it's a sign that other areas of the team aren't going well either

I’ll let you know where they’ll finish two weeks into the season.

[QUOTE=Hollywood42;17801333]Couple of roster moves-

Added to the 40-man (ahead of R5 draft): Blayne Enlow, Royce Lewis, Jose Miranda, Cole Sands, Chris Vallimont, Josh Winder

Signed: Jake Cave

Sent to AAA: Kyle Garlick, Devin Smeltzer

DFAed: Willians Astudillo, Charlie Barnes




The biggest surprise there IMO is DFAing Astudillo. He was fun to watch, but aside from that gotta say glad he's gone. He was a way better meme than ballplayer. Easy to root for, but tough to watch swing at everything and repeatedly dribble weak grounders time and time again

You could make similar arguments against Cave, and no disagreements, but at least he actually has a position and plays a decent outfield. If he sits in the 4th/5th OF role that's just fine, I don't want to see him play more than that, and if he is it's a sign that other areas of the team aren't going well either[/QUOTE]

So sad to see Astudillo DFAd. Sure he isn’t the greatest player, not consistent and really not an expert at any position, but he was so much fun to watch. How many players could we watch catch on Monday and then pitch (horribly) on Tuesday! It seemed like he was loved in MN, and his attitude and enthusiasm will be missed.

BIG NEWS

[URL="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1465069200200937476"]Passan[/URL]- BREAKING: Center fielder Byron Buxton and the Minnesota Twins are in agreement on a long-term, nine-figure contract extension, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.

[QUOTE=Hollywood42;17817529]BIG NEWS

[URL="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1465069200200937476"]Passan[/URL]- BREAKING: Center fielder Byron Buxton and the Minnesota Twins are in agreement on a long-term, nine-figure contract extension, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.[/QUOTE][url]https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1465071426671677441?t=1RO2L8OoxTC9Cu8Z_nkqNA&s=19[/url]

7 years and $100M is a steal, $14M/year wouldn't sink them even if it's fully guaranteed and he continues to miss large chunks of time. Image there must be more incentives on top of that

[QUOTE=Gurds;17817538][url]https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1465071426671677441?t=1RO2L8OoxTC9Cu8Z_nkqNA&s=19[/url][/QUOTE]

Breakdown from Rosenthal- [url]https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1465072285841334272[/url]

More details:

$1M signing bonus.
2022 salary-$9M
2023-28-$15M per season

MVP bonuses, believed to be unprecedented, for every year of deal.

1st-$8M
2nd-$7M
3rd-$6M
4th-$5M
5th-$4M
6th-through-10th: $3M

Also: $500K each for 502, 533, 567, 600 and 625 plate appearances.

Initial reaction is that this is a great deal

***Official 2022 Minnesota Twins season thread***
 

Considering his on field percentage that’s rather $30M/y equivalent. No steal imo. They should have traded him long ago.

[QUOTE=Hollywood42;17817560]Initial reaction is that this is a great deal[/QUOTE]

At this point you have to pay him what he’s worth… half a season of productivity. If you get 3/4’s worth or more at the level he plays at it’ll be a bargain.

So pumped Buxton signed long term. Also should be a signal this team isn’t going away. Retool, not a rebuild

[QUOTE=hzw5wi;17817567]Considering his on field percentage that’s rather $30M/y equivalent. No steal imo. They should have traded him long ago.[/QUOTE]

Traded him long ago? What are you even talking about? They won the division in 2019 and 2020. When should they have traded him? In the middle of winning a division? Literally makes zero sense

Supposedly the big reason why Buxton signed now is the no trade clause. Twins didn’t make it available in the extension offered in July, but they made it available now.

Glad you’re staying Buxton

[QUOTE=Hollywood42;17817529]BIG NEWS

[URL="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1465069200200937476"]Passan[/URL]- BREAKING: Center fielder Byron Buxton and the Minnesota Twins are in agreement on a long-term, nine-figure contract extension, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.[/QUOTE]

Why?????????

[QUOTE=hzw5wi;17817567]Considering his on field percentage that’s rather $30M/y equivalent. No steal imo. They should have traded him long ago.[/QUOTE]

Pay him by how many games he plays. May get him for about $75,000 a year.

[QUOTE=EBCollectibles;17819109]Pay him by how many games he plays. May get him for about $75,000 a year.[/QUOTE]

He’s still an elite talent. How often do the twins have someone of his talent level? You sign him, to a very reasonable deal. 14 million a year is not that expensive in the grand scheme of things. Then you sign a reliable veteran/if you trust in Celestino to back him up in CF

[QUOTE=EBCollectibles;17819109]Pay him by how many games he plays. May get him for about $75,000 a year.[/QUOTE]

Last year his value was worth around 35-40 million in market value and that was playing less than half a season.

So what’s the problem with that?

[QUOTE=Eckstein197;17819260]Last year his value was worth around 35-40 million in market value and that was playing less than half a season.

So what’s the problem with that?[/QUOTE]

Came here to say exactly that. Also like the MVP incentives. Even if he wins the MVP, he's still underpaid, so it's a no brainer to offer those IMO

Dylan Bundy is a fine option. Has shown some flashes, he’s a 4/5 in the rotation.

Time to see how long the lockout lasts. I think there is a very real
Possibility we don’t play a full 162 in 2022. Very realistic possibility

Oh man I really posted in last year's thread this morning. Oops



Got our first pitcher of the offseason yesterday before the lockout began- Welcome Dylan Bundy to the team. 1 year, $5 million with a club option for a 2nd year at $11 million

Obviously not the top end arm we're all waiting for, but Bundy is a decent addition for us. Not upset about this signing by any means. He, Ryan, and Ober make for a decent 3-5. Bundy of course can't be the best pitcher we get this offseason, and the quality FA SP market is drying up fast. But the trade market is an option as well so we'll just have to wait and see what happens. But I'm glad we got at least one starter before the lockout started

HUGE congrats to Jim Kaat and Tony Oliva for both, finally, being elected to the Hall of Fame!!

[QUOTE=Hollywood42;17832483]HUGE congrats to Jim Kaat and Tony Oliva for both, finally, being elected to the Hall of Fame!![/QUOTE]I'm so thankful they were elected while still living too. Big day for Twins fans!