***Official 2024 Minnesota Twins season thread***

[Hollywood42]

The 2023 season has officially come and gone, and what a season it was. From a surprise Carlos Correa reunion, some successful trades and signings and some not so much, lost seasons from Alex Kirilloff and Jose Miranda, to fantastic seasons from Royce Lewis, Edouard Julien, and Matt Wallner. Ultimate we end up back on top in the division, make the playoffs, and end the streak!

Last season got us back on track, and set expectations moving forward. We have a good team to build off of heading into this offseason. The rotation looks like it should be a strength again next year even with Sonny Gray hitting free agency, with Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, and Chris Paddack setting up a solid 1-4. The lineup needs a bit of work, but after great rookie years from the Lewis/Julien/Wallner trio named above, plus Correa, Jeffers, Kepler, Polanco, and hopefully Buxton, I think it's within reason to have some excitement about the offense. Every bullpen ever can always use some more arms, but that too has a good starting point with Jhoan Duran, Caleb Thielbar, Griffin Jax, and Brock Stewart leading the way.

My personal top few areas of need would be as follows:

-1 quality SP. I think we can go into this year and feel that our rotation is a strength, but 2023 showed how invaluable having 2 aces can be. It'd probably have to come via a trade, but if we can land another #1-2, that takes this pitching staff to the next level

-Buxton insurance. I am very hopeful Buck can contribute this year, even if it's on a 100 game managed program. But we can't count on that and I'd really like to have someone that we're comfortable playing 130 games in center if needed. MAT filled that role perfectly last year and I wouldn't at all mind him returning to the team

-Offensive bopper. The offense was way better in the second half, but it held us back big time in the first half. And didn't do enough in the playoffs. I think we have a good core, but we have a lot of average to good guys, and not that many great guys. I'd love to see us add an impact bat this year, and I'd especially love to see us get rid of a platoon somewhere in exchange for a guy that doesn't need to be protected by L/R matchups. Platoons have their place, but they're limiting, too. Someone like Rhys Hoskins would be an exciting add, and would help plug a hole we have at 1B currently

-Bullpen help. No surprise there, every team always needs this, and we're no different. We especially need some more lefty help, as Thielbar is currently our only established LHP out there

I wouldn't be surprised to see another significant trade this offseason, either. I'm not sure who it would be, but we have some good offensive depth right now, particularly in the infield. Do we make Brooks Lee available for a stud, even on the cusp of Lee reaching the majors? Do we let Jose Miranda try to bounce back somewhere else? Can we get something good for Jorge Polanco to open up 2B for Julien full time? Lots of speculation to be had here, but I do envision something pretty interesting happening on the trade market before opening day

At this way too early point in the offseason, it looks like it'll be another weak division, so I'm hoping we take advantage of that, making some October minded moves this offseason, then coming out hot and jumping to a big division lead early on in the season. With the playoff streak no longer looming over us, we can finally look beyond simply getting a win, and now have our eyes on making a real run at things. I don't think we're that far away from being able to do that, but we do have a few clear needs to take care of first

Links to past season threads-

2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014

[Eckstein197]

Dang can’t believe it’s time for the 2024 thread. Should be an interesting off-season.

Go get Rhys Hoskins.

[troesports]

Agree with all of the things that need to be addressed in the offseason. Rhys Hoskins would be a great fit at 1B, and I would certainly be fine with bringing Michael A. Taylor back as Buxton insurance.

I've seen rumors that they're interested in Kevin Kiermaier, although he also comes with some injury concerns.

[Hollywood42]

The more I think about it, the more I feel like that we're going to have at least one more substantial trade this offseason. I'm thinking at least one of Kepler, Polanco, Lee, or Miranda are moved, possibly multiple. Don't necessarily think it'd be a bad thing, but I am kind of expecting another move that is polarizing in the fan base

[Eckstein197]

Originally Posted by Hollywood42

The more I think about it, the more I feel like that we're going to have at least one more substantial trade this offseason. I'm thinking at least one of Kepler, Polanco, Lee, or Miranda are moved, possibly multiple. Don't necessarily think it'd be a bad thing, but I am kind of expecting another move that is polarizing in the fan base

I think a big trade involving a well known name will happen. Like a Brooks Lee or Emmanuel Rodriguez is moved for something.

[Eckstein197]

Kenta signed a 2 year, 24 million dollar deal with the Tigers. Good for Kenta for getting that bag, will be missed. But I’m also fine with not paying that price tag for him

[Hollywood42]

And breaking news from Heyman that Sonny Gray is expected to sign with the Cardinals today. That one hurts a little more, but it wasn't looking realistic for Sonny to stick in MN. And honestly I don't feel bad about getting out on him now either. Will continue to be a big fan of his, and love the peak that he reached with us

[Eckstein197]

Originally Posted by Hollywood42

And breaking news from Heyman that Sonny Gray is expected to sign with the Cardinals today. That one hurts a little more, but it wasn't looking realistic for Sonny to stick in MN. And honestly I don't feel bad about getting out on him now either. Will continue to be a big fan of his, and love the peak that he reached with us

Agreed. 3 years, 75 million. Reasonable for sure and while he will be hard to replace, not sure if I would have wanted that contract for the twins. Paying a premium coming off a career year at age 33, paying through years 34-36 could be a little rough. Free agent pitching can be quite the land mines.

I’m always up for paying for free agent hitters but pitchers always seem to be scary. It seems like for every good deal, there are numerous bad ones. Like imagine paying Rodon right now, ooofff. That’s a bad looking deal

[Hollywood42]

Emilio Pagan is the next 2023 Twin to sign elsewhere, on his way to Cincy for 2 years $16 million. It's funny how recently it would be shocking to see him get an 8 figure deal. We certainly had our ups and downs with him, but his redemption arc sure was something

[Athey49]

Really would love a solid SP before the season starts. I agree with the above, someone like Hoskins could easily come in and be a fan favorite and solid 1B. Man, still can't believe they actually won a playoff game, let alone a series!

[Athey49]

I'm kind of interested in Woodruff's offers he'll receive. I know he won't be a factor for most if not all of next year, but he's a guy I wouldn't mind taking a flyer on. Still have to find a pitcher or two for this year though

[Eckstein197]

Originally Posted by Athey49

I'm kind of interested in Woodruff's offers he'll receive. I know he won't be a factor for most if not all of next year, but he's a guy I wouldn't mind taking a flyer on. Still have to find a pitcher or two for this year though

Agreed, this team hasn’t been afraid of doing those 2-3 year deals with a pitcher who spends the first year rehabbing a serious injury (Paddack, Pineda)

Love the ceiling of woodruff

[Hollywood42]

The big difference being, of course, that Woodruff will be way more expensive than Paddack or Pineda. With the self imposed salary cap I doubt Woodruff makes his way here even on a contract like $4M for year one and $15M for year two (purely for example). But I do love the idea of it

[r0yals2012]

I have a few more at PSA but these came back recently



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[Hollywood42]

Patience will be rewarded..... right???

[Hollywood42]

Joe Mauer has been elected to the Hall of Fame on his first year on the ballot!!!

[dashcol]

Originally Posted by Hollywood42

Joe Mauer has been elected to the Hall of Fame on his first year on the ballot!!!

My favorite picture of Joe by far.

Pribably one of my favorite baseball pictures of all time!

[Eckstein197]

Joe Mauer HOFer, it sounds so right

[HOFAutoRookies]

I’M SO DAMN HAPPY!!!


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[Hollywood42]

We have life!

Jorge Polanco is being traded to the Seattle Mariners. No word on the return yet other than 2 major leaguers and 2 minor leaguers

edit to add - RP Justin Topa is one of them. 2.61 ERA in 70 innings last year. Nice add to the bullpen

[Hollywood42]

Doesn't seem like this is going to be the move to help the rotation with a big add, but Polo alone was never going to pull someone like that. Topa is a good start and if we can help out the team in a few different areas while also trading from a surplus, that sounds pretty nice

[Hollywood42]

The return:

RP Justin Topa
SP Anthony Desclafani
OF Gabriel Gonzalez
SP Darren Bowen
+ cash

Honestly this feels like a massive return for 2 years of Polo, who is definitely still a very productive infielder, but has not fully shook off his recent injuries and who is limited at best defensively. Topa looks like a great get for the back of the bullpen, Gonzalez was the Mariners #3 overall prospect and a legit chance at being a top 100 guy overall this year, Bowen feels like a nice solid get for the pitching pipeline, and while Desclafani is by far the least interesting piece to me, he's our annual veteran SP add

[awz50]

Originally Posted by Hollywood42

The return:

RP Justin Topa
SP Anthony Desclafani
OF Gabriel Gonzalez
SP Darren Bowen
+ cash

Honestly this feels like a massive return for 2 years of Polo, who is definitely still a very productive infielder, but has not fully shook off his recent injuries and who is limited at best defensively. Topa looks like a great get for the back of the bullpen, Gonzalez was the Mariners #3 overall prospect and a legit chance at being a top 100 guy overall this year, Bowen feels like a nice solid get for the pitching pipeline, and while Desclafani is by far the least interesting piece to me, he's our annual veteran SP add

He is a top 100 lol. Right under justin crawford in the 70s. Gabriel gonzalez is one of the best hitting prospects I have seen in person and he will impress. I would bank on it

[Eckstein197]

This trade in terms of no emotions is a great trade. Emotionally man I hate to see Polanco go. He’s been so good for us but it clears up the infield logjam and it’s a heck of a deal by the front office

Gonzalez is right around a top 70-80 prospect according to most lists. Solid righty OF which is the real dearth in our farm system. We are missing righty OF bats with power. Getting him is a massive get

I like Topa, he will slide in quite nicely in probably the 3rd best reliever slot, behind Duran and Jax. Real good 7th inning guy and we like that

DeScalfani is just the traditional veteran add like Hollywood mentioned, he can eat some innings and hope for a little bounce back. He can replace what Maeda brought last year. This also allows Varland to slot into the 2023 Ober role, so he’s next man up if a starter goes down.

And then Bowen is just a nice lotto ticket, nothing wrong with prospect lotto tickets. Fits the Falvey/Levine type of college righties as well

We also got cash which is never a bad thing

To be real, there was not a high probability of Polanco’s option being picked up next offseason with the infield logjam the twins currently have

So we flipped 1 year of Polanco into a top 100 prospect, a solid reliever, a backend innings eating starter and a lotto ticket. I’ll take that all day. Also this clears the way for Julien to be the primary 2B which he has absolutely learned.

Wish Polo luck in Seattle and I hope for his sake he can shake off some of those nagging injuries


Side note, I don’t think the twins are done. If anything, landing Gonzalez could make it a little more palatable if they trade ERod for a quality starter. Or Gonzalez gets moved himself. Just makes the farm deeper for another move

[Hollywood42]

I missed him when looking at the Pipeline top 100, and thought I saw Ken Rosenthal say he was arguably top 100. So even better!

I am a little surprised his Pipeline scouting report feels a little bland on him. He's put up .302/.377/.483 in the minors while 2-3 years younger than the competition, though he did struggle a bit in his first taste of High A so that could help explain it. Either way, I'm pretty excited about the add. Easy top 5 prospect for us and adds another quality piece to the farm. Almost hoping this helps them make another move and get a quality starter as a true Sonny replacement. Easier to do that after bolstering the farm with Gonzo and Bower

Originally Posted by awz50

He is a top 100 lol. Right under justin crawford in the 70s. Gabriel gonzalez is one of the best hitting prospects I have seen in person and he will impress. I would bank on it