Building Blocks: Minnesota Twins (Mogul 2k6)

[mattynokes]

40-Man Roster
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Minnesota Twins Baseball
October 12, 2022

Minnesota Twins Final: Notes & Stats

• Many wonder if this will be Joe Mauer's final season ... I gotta say Joe, you got your 3,000 hits, it's time to retire.
  
  
• Mauer's heir to the catching throne, Aaron Weaver picked up his offensive pace late in the season
  
  
• RF James Norris upped his AVG and OBP, but forgot to take the home runs with him ... The Twins need him back in his 2020 form
  
  
• Speaking of corner outfielders, what's up with LF Noah Turmell? 2022 was one of his worst seasons yet
  
  
• 1B Chris McNees busted out for his finest season yet ... He's definitely restored the organizations faith in his bat
  
  
• SS Sam Miller struggled mightily at the plate ... It seems as soon as one player straightens things out, another falls from grace
  
  
• Can we please be done with CF Edgar Cadena in an every day role!
  
  
• SP Joe Drew was magnificent ... Still can't believe Atlanta just let him go
  
  
• SP Chris Cook has nice numbers on the surface, but we're still concerned with his high 1.42 HR/9
  
  
• There's more encouraging signs from SP Harvey Sawyer ... He's still not quite where we want him at, but we'll gladly take a fourth year of improved performance
  
  
• The tandem of RPs David Pickle and Byron Jamieson should be a nice combo, but other than that bullpen will be wide open come 2023

[mattynokes]

2022 Playoffs
November 13, 2022

[mattynokes]

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Minnesota Twins Baseball
November 13, 2022

Dissecting The Battery

Just like last season we'll have a look at the Twins 40-Man Roster and take a look at what the off-season holds.

• C Joe Mauer: More likely than not the Twins won't offer Mauer a contract and suggest he retire ... He's got his 3,000 hits and an impressive 18 year run with only one team
  
  
• C Aaron Weaver: The Twins will look for Weaver to improve upon his 2022 season. It'll be tough to replace a legend and fan favorite like Mauer, but if there's a player to do it, Weaver is the man with the tools necessary to produce at and behind the plate
  
  
• C Chris Darusmont: Darusmont wasn't called upon much this past season where he only mustard up four hits in thirty at-bats ... Though was once again solid behind the plate, throwing out one third of potential base stealers
  
  
• SP Joe Drew: Drew put up the fantastic season the Twins were looking for ... He can go deep into the game and that will save a suspect Twin bullpen. He's under contract for another three seasons and expect Drew to be in Minnesota for all three of them
  
  
• SP Chris Cook: The Twins are dealing with his high home run rate because of his overall success, but don't be surprised if Minnesota elects to put some off-season work into Cook to try to work on pitching the ball low in the zone and keeping the ball in the ballpark
  
  
• SP Harvey Sawyer: He's nearly where the Twins want him to be ... If you want to talk about endurance, this is your guy ... Sawyer averaged just a shade under 7.1 innings pitched per outing in 2022
  
  
• SP Heath Cunicelli: Cunicelli is now up for arbitration and it looks like he could be one of the handful of players that get non-tendered as the Twins look to shake things up at the bottom of the rotation and the bullpen as well
  
  
• SP Ruben Montiero: He isn't up for arbitration just yet, but he's in the same boat as Cunicelli. Look for him to be traded for a "C" prospect this off-season
  
  
• SP Ricky Romero: He'll turn 41 next season, but don't be surprised if the Twins make a strong effort to re-sign Romero ... He pitched very well for the Twins and as long as he's willing to return, he should come at an affordable price
  
  
• SP Martin Cavell: Although he allowed a few too many hits, he impressed the Twins this September and should be in the running for one of the final two rotation spots during Spring Training
  
  
• SP Nick Davis: Is he a Quad-A All-Star or has he just not got his fair chance? That's the tough question as he's shown well in Triple-A Rochester, but it hasn't translated to success in the big leagues yet.
  
  
• SP Brian Siano: At just 24 Siano may already be wearing out his welcome in Minnesota ... He allowed an alarming 18 home runs in just 61 innings of work this past season and still continues with control problems (57 walks in 103 career innings)

[mattynokes]

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Minnesota Twins Baseball
November 13, 2022

Dissecting The Infield

• 1B Chris McNees: McNees finally displayed the power the Twins were hoping for on draft day
  
  
• 1B Marc Near: Near can play LF and RF in addition to 1B and with Mauer likely departing it could mean Near will move into a starting role somewhere
  
  
• 1B Eduardo Montiero: He was a late bloomer and while it’s doubtful he’ll ever become starter worthy, he should make a nice bench bat
  
  
• 2B Jeff Kryzsko: He got off to a good start offensively, but it didn’t last long … He was good defensively, but with other options in the minors one has to wonder how much longer he’ll remain the starter
  
  
• 2B Samuel Fernandez: He only saw 32 plate appearances and has just a .522 career OPS, but he should once again be cheap, so he’ll return for 2023
  
  
• 3B Jeff Haluska: While he didn’t quite put up the power numbers the Twins had hoped for, but did give the Twins a huge boost from the hot corner … Sadly it’s pretty much guaranteed that he won’t return
  
  
• 3B Steve Richey: Richey struggled and eventually was replaced by Haluska as the Twins tried to make a post-season run … He’ll only be 22 next season and should certainly see better seasons in the future
  
  
• SS Sam Miller: A quick glance at the numbers and you might think Miller had a much worse season, but he did field much better (possibly Gold Glove worthy) and the only difference from this year and last is his batting average

[mattynokes]

40-Man Roster
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Minnesota Twins Baseball
November 13, 2022

Dissecting The Infield

• LF Noah Turmell: Turmell surely raised some questions as to if the Twins did the right thing by signing him long term … He may be a guy that’s heavily shopped this winter
  
  
• CF Edgar Cadena: The Twins will likely try to find a new center fielder this off-season … Cadena may stick around as the fourth outfielder, but don’t be surprised if he’s dealt
  
  
• CF Elvis Campos: Campos’ future with the Twins likely hinges on what happens with Cadena … He still has one option left, so the Twins could keep him as insurance even if they keep Cadena
  
  
• RF James Norris: After trying out left field, he’ll moving back to right field where hopefully he’ll regain his power stroke
  
  
• RF Paul Jordan: Eventually either Jordan or Campos will be phased out of the Twins backup options, but for now Jordan will remain in the mix

[mattynokes]

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Minnesota Twins Baseball
November 13, 2022

Dissecting The Bullpen

• RP Huston Street: The Twins may make an attempt to retain Street, but it's doubtful that he'll return
  
  
• RP Bryon Jamieson: It's doubtful that he's Closer material, but he can become a great middle man or possibly setup material
  
  
• RP David Pickle: If Street isn't re-signed Pickle will likely assume the Closer role ... He doesn't strike out many hitters, but he keeps the ball in the ballpark
  
  
• RP Oscar Villarreal: Signed late in September, Villarreal bombed big time giving up 11 hits in 6 innings ... He most certainly will walk
  
  
• RP Tim Raymond: A once great find by Nokes when in the Portland organization has likely seen his last tour with a Nokes ran team
  
  
• RP Sam Faraglia: Faraglia appeared in two games in September since blossoming after being a late round selection in 2020 ... He should easily win a middle relief spot this upcoming spring
  
  
• RP Kenny Bliss: He's got 107 career strikeouts in 102 innings, but he also has 85 career walks ... Betting money suggests he's in the group with SPs Siano and Montiero that could be traded
  
  
• RP Ben Jarrad: He's much Bliss and even though he's older with those control problems, since he's only been with the Twins for one season, he'll likely get a shot to stay on the roster

[mattynokes]

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Minnesota Twins: Re-Signing Breakdown
By Trent Cameron [November 17, 2022 at 6:15pm CST]

Like last year we breakdown the Twins re-signings for the upcoming off-season:

• Free Agency Eligible
  C Joe Mauer: Granted Free Agency
  
  3B Jeff Haluska: Granted Free Agency
  
  SP Ricky Romero: Granted Free Agency
  
  RP Oscar Villarreal: Granted Free Agency
  
  RP Huston Street: Granted Free Agency
  
  RP Tim Raymond: Signed $1.05M/1 Year
  
  Surprisingly the Twins opted to re-sign Tim Raymond. He accepted a $0.45M drop in salary and will be in the middle relief mix. Surprisingly Ricky Romero decided to test the market. However, he did hint that he would consider a return to Minnesota. On the contrary Huston Street stated that he would not return even after testing the market. Lastly, as expected Joe Mauer, Jeff Haluska, and Oscar Villarreal were let go.
  
  
• Conditional Option
  
  N/A
  
  
• Arbitration Eligible
  1B Chris McNees: Offered $7.00M in Arbitration, Twins Won
  
  2B Samuel Fernandez: Offered $0.50M in Arbitration, Fernandez Won for $0.60M
  
  SS Sam Miller: Offered $7.25M in Arbitration, Twins Won
  
  RF James Norris: Offered $6.50M in Arbitration, Twins Won
  
  SP Harvey Sawyer: Offered $6.75M in Arbitration, Twins Won
  
  SP Heath Cunicelli: Non-Tendered Arbitration
  
  Another year, same story. The only arbitration case the Twins lost was Samuel Fernandez, and again it was only for an extra $0.10M. James Norris saw a decrease in salary while Sam Miller saw only a slight raise. Harvey Sawyer saw a healthy jump to his salary while Chris McNees will see around the same salary that Miller and Norris received during their first arbitration season.

[twinsfan1127]

nice! want to see them in the playoffs next year!

[mattynokes]

twinsfan1127: It'd be nice if we can get over the hump.
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2022 Awards
November 17, 2022

AMERICAN LEAGUE (2022)

Cy Young                  Will Lowell (OAK)
Player of the Year:       Vasili Spanos (OAK)
Rookie Of The Year:       Aaron Weaver (MIN)

Gold Glove (P):           Martin Cavell (MIN)
Gold Glove (C):           Geoff Nolan (STL)
Gold Glove (1B):          Manny Munoz (POR)
Gold Glove (2B):          Shane Nagy (OAK)
Gold Glove (3B):          Vasili Spanos (OAK)
Gold Glove (SS):          Sam Miller (MIN)
Gold Glove (LF):          Travis Buck (OAK)
Gold Glove (CF):          Adam Skeen (NYY)
Gold Glove (RF):          Cameron Coughlan (OAK)

NATIONAL LEAGUE (2022)

Cy Young                  Rafael Gonzalez (CIN)
Player of the Year:       Jay Bruce (CIN)
Rookie Of The Year:       Jolindo Romeo (LAD)

Gold Glove (P):           Matthew Burskey (LAD)
Gold Glove (C):           Chris Moody (CIN)
Gold Glove (1B):          Stefan Bailie (LAD)
Gold Glove (2B):          Marty Brown (PHI)
Gold Glove (3B):          David Poeschl (WAS)
Gold Glove (SS):          Kyle Shiman (LVA)
Gold Glove (LF):          Matthew Hechtman (ATL)
Gold Glove (CF):          Barry Dawson (PIT)
Gold Glove (RF):          Damon Macaire (WAS)

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Editor's Note: LOL, how does Cavell win the Gold Glove with only 5 starts?

[mattynokes]

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Minnesota Twins Baseball
November 17, 2022

Twins Off-Season Needs

• Free Agency Market
  
  Starting Pitcher – Once again the free agent market is full of surprises. However the Twins are already about $8.00M over budget for 2022 and they’ll have to be careful when handing out contracts. There’s still a chance that the Twins can come to an agreement with Ricky Romero, but fellow 41 year old veteran Justin Verlander. Former Dodger Sean Turney could be an option as well. Turney has a career 3.23 ERA and 98-66 record.
  
  Center Fielder – The Twins could go after young guns Alan Wesley or Kenny Hill, but they’ll likely to demand $10.00M or more. A more likely option is either Kelvin Whiteside or Winslow Abend, both whom Nokes is familiar with from his Portland days. Neither of the two should require more than $5.00M.
  
  
• Amateur Draft
  
  We checked out last year what the scouting reports mean. The Twins have the #10 pick in this year’s draft. Here’s a look at a few of the top draftees that might be available for Minnesota.
  
  LF Jason Litvak (67/100) – Age 22: Offensively there’s nothing to get googly-eyed about with Litvak. He has solidly below average contact, power, and plate discipline. He has a poor arm, but has good range and decent speed. He’s played CF and RF while at Florida State, but without a better arm, he’s probably stuck in LF.
  
  RF Steve Ulrich (68/100) – Age 18: While playing RF in high school he has well above average speed and range, so he could be moved to CF. His average contact and eye plus well below average power trio would be move valuable up the middle as well.
  
  SS Brian Carmody (71/99) – Age 18: Carmody be already be major league material defensively. He was a .977 fielder in high school and that can only improve on better playing surfaces. Overall his offense is slightly below average, but he rarely strikes out at the dish. He’s an intriguing prospect, but he does come with a slight injury risk.
  
  1B Jim Steinhauer (73/95) – Age 21: Granted the Twins don’t have a foreseeable need at 1B anytime soon, Steinhauer is near ready and is athletic enough to move to the corner outfield. He has slightly above average power to go with an overall average approach at the plate. Defensively he makes a few too many errors and just has an average arm, but he does have good range.
  
  CF David Luczak (73/94) – Age 18: Luczak has slightly below average contact and power, but has a below average eye that’s going to take a lot of work to draw more walks. His value comes from his great speed, range, and arm. He does get a little over aggressive trying to throw runners out, but with some coaching he can cut down on some of the miscues.
  
  So, if all players are still there, which do you take 10th overall?

[mattynokes]

Twins Nab Their Guy
By Trent Cameron [December 15, 2022 at 9:57pm CT]

• MLB's Rhett Bolinger reported four days ago that the Twins signed Hollis Reinhart. Reinhart was once a premiere All-Star outfielder for the Padres, but inexplicably hasn't been the same since 2019. Once a 35+ home run threat the Twins are hoping he can be a competent DH for the 2023 season.
  
  
• Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal writes how finally getting a "real" CF will highly improve the Twins offense. Kelvin Whiteside had his worst season to date this past season, but he still has the ability to be a solid on-base speed threat while playing quality defense.
  
  
• Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune doesn't like that the Twins gave in to Whiteside's demand of the third year, but feels Reinhart is an under the radar move that can help solidify the lineup.

[mattynokes]

Turmell Dealt To Toronto
By Trent Cameron [December 22, 2022 at 11:10am CT]

• The news was broken early this morning by Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal that Toronto and Minnesota were in serious talks for the outfielder.
  
  
• MLB's Rhett Bolinger reported the finalized deal; LF Noah Turmell and RP Kenny Bliss to Toronto for prospects SS Sean Sepulveda and SP Eric Arseneau plus some cash. He notes that both Sepulveda and Arseneau were once first round picks by the Blue Jays. It seems fitting that the Twins get a couple of busted prospects for players that didn't meet their expectations either.
  
  
• Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune writes, "An off-season ago Minnesota thought Turmell was going to be a fixture on in the Twins lineup for a few years, but after a poor showing, he's been dealt for a couple of prospects." Christensen also expects both Sepulveda and Arseneau to have a strong chance at making the roster out of Spring Training.
  
  
• The Twins' next moves could be to unload SPs Ruben Montiero or Brian Siano tweets ESPN's Jayson Stark.

Blue Jays Trade Recap







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Editor's Note On Trade Fairness: Looking at the ratings it clearly favors Toronto, but when you take into account it partially being an unloading of Turmell's contract and getting rid of another player that's failed with Minnesota, a couple of MLB ready/low upside prospects seems fitting.

[mattynokes]

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Minnesota Twins Baseball
December 30, 2022

2022-23 Off-Season Training Results

SS Sean Sepulveda: Discipline Training - Improved Contact and Eye / Decreased Power

LF Reggie Campbell: Resistance Training - Improved Contact / Decreased Power and Eye

SP Eric Arseneau: Discipline Training - Improved Movement / Decreased Control and Power

SP Nick Davis: Discipline Training - Improved Control / Decreased Power and Movement

RP Sam Faraglia: Discipline Training - Improved Movement / Decreased Control and Power

[mattynokes]

Twins Off-Season Roundup
By Trent Cameron [January 10, 2023 at 1:24pm CT]

There's just one week left until the Amateur Draft, so let's take a look back at the Twins' off-season thus far:

• Signed DH Hollis Reinhart and CF Kelvin Whiteside - Both signings come with risk. With Reinhart the risk is his age and ability. He hit only .221 in basically what amounts to a half season's work and he also struggled mightily to draw walks. The same risk may hold true with Whiteside, but scouts believe he'll bounce back from a career low .242 AVG and .293 OBP. The bigger risk may be the Twins giving in to Whiteside's third year demand. He'll be 35 at the start of the final year and by then his salary may be too much for the value he'll bring.
  
  
• Acquired prospects SS Sean Sepulveda and SP Eric Arseneau for LF Noah Turmell and RP Kenny Bliss - The Blue Jays definitely got the Twins to sell low, but that doesn't concern GM Matty Nokes one bit. Being rid of Turmell's salary has opened the door for some other off-season moves. Bliss had never worked out for either of Nokes' teams and he is also out of options this coming spring. Sepulveda has good speed and high quality defense, he'll make a great bench option. Arseneau will be in a battle for the final rotation spot, but should earn a long relief job even if he loses the rotation battle.
  
  
• Signed SP Max Noyes - A signing that went under the radar, but the 34 year old provides veteran leadership and he too, will be in the rotation battle.
  
  
• Traded SPs Ruben Montiero and Brian Siano - Both deals happened early this afternoon after a long search by GM Matty Nokes. Siano went to Boston for cash considerations (as estimated $2 million) while Montiero was dealt to the Padres for prospect SP John Roberts. Siano (career 5.94 ERA in 103.0 IP) and Montiero (career 5.89 ERA in 350.0 IP) were both not likely to make the roster with the recent acquisitions. However, with Nick Davis' performance in the AFL this winter, he has restored the Twins faith in him and he will round out the trio vying for the #5 rotation spot.

Padres Trade Return

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Editor's Note On Trade Fairness: The trades were extremely easy to judge. San Diego doesn't give up much other than a likely long relief prospect and Boston was one of three teams to offer the $2M for Montiero. Both look to either have a #5 rotation or long relief job on their new teams.

[mattynokes]

Minnesota Twins Baseball
January 17, 2023

2023 Minnesota Twins Draft Review

1st Round: Pick #10: CF David Luczak, Toronto, Canada

In a draft where we wanted to select a pitcher high in the draft, it was LOADED with positional players. We do have Shultz in Single-A at CF, but he hasn't progressed like we had hoped. Maybe Luczak will push him. Luczak's the typical CF in the sense that he has the speed and range, but his power potential isn’t typical for his position. He has features a great arm in the outfield. The major concern he that he rarely walks.

2nd Round: Pick #34: SP Joel Lewandowski, Peoria, IL

Here we get a pitcher, which we were hoping would be atop our target list for the first round. Lew's a hittable pitcher, but does already features quality control and strikeout ability. Combine his control with his endurance and you have a guy that can pitch deep into ball games. At just 17 he has a lot of time to develop better secondary pitches.

3rd Round: Pick #58: 3B Wes Strom, Southern Mississippi

Count it three years now that we've taken a raw, but projectable player in the third round. We said we weren’t going to draft a middle infielder with our current depth being what it is, but Strom will be moved to 3B since he isn’t the greatest fielder at 2B. He’s pretty raw offensively as well and at 20, that’s raised a lot of questions. However, our scouts feel he has amazing upside, so we’ll take the chance on him.

4th Round: Pick #82: RP Zack Thomson, Strykersville, NY

He’s another extremely raw player. There’s nothing exciting about him, but since his junior year he’s gotten results. We’ll hope to turn his “it” factor into better control to become a quality reliever. We're thrilled that a player with his potential was actually still available this late in the draft.

5th Round: Pick #106: 1B Eric Ford, Oral Roberts

We’re drafting him on power potential. He’s basically a rock at 1B and strikes out a ton. However, when he does make contact, it generally goes a long ways, as 60% of his hits went for extra bases last season at Oral Roberts.

6th Round: Pick #130: 3B Henry Morris, Virginia

He has very limited upside, but he already has average power and plate discipline. He should be able to improve to around .230 hitter at the major league level and that could earn him a bench spot in just a few seasons.

This was a solid and productive draft, but there just wasn't that one selection that we came away feeling great about. Many of these guys are high risk, high reward type of prospects. They could develop into great players and make us look like geniuses, but there's still a lot of unknown to factor during the mean time. I'll give us a B+, since what we have is solid, but not a lot we feel comfortable about being sure thing.