Minnesota Sports Forum

I'm just upset we didn't offer more money to get Liam Hendricks back home. If the White Sox need some more ideas of where to spend their money I have some more ideas! Lol

Well, the Twins didn't land Francisco Lindor or Trevor Story this off-season, and they also didn't sign Marcus Semien despite rumors that they had some interest there. But they did sign arguably the best fielder in the game when healthy. Andrelton Simmons for one-year is a deal I can rally behind. The left side of the infield should be a huge strength for this team.

I also like the domino effect it has on Jorge Polanco and Luis Arraez. Polanco likely moves over to second base where he should be better defensively, or he's used in the utility role moving around the infield where needed while Arraez holds it down at second. I'm fine with either outcome.

I think this also opens the doors for a possible Polanco, or more likely Arraez, trade that hopefully adds quality starting pitching to the roster. I'm still hopeful for a trade with the Cincinnati Reds that lands Luis Castillo and Nick Castellanos, personally.

Camden0916 wrote:Well, the Twins didn't land Francisco Lindor or Trevor Story this off-season, and they also didn't sign Marcus Semien despite rumors that they had some interest there. But they did sign arguably the best fielder in the game when healthy. Andrelton Simmons for one-year is a deal I can rally behind. The left side of the infield should be a huge strength for this team.

I also like the domino effect it has on Jorge Polanco and Luis Arraez. Polanco likely moves over to second base where he should be better defensively, or he's used in the utility role moving around the infield where needed while Arraez holds it down at second. I'm fine with either outcome.

I think this also opens the doors for a possible Polanco, or more likely Arraez, trade that hopefully adds quality starting pitching to the roster. I'm still hopeful for a trade with the Cincinnati Reds that lands Luis Castillo and Nick Castellanos, personally.

Question for yah

Would you do Arraez for Syndergaard? It be two years of Thor coming off Tommy John vs 5 years of control on Arraez. I don't think I would pull the trigger. I'm big Castillo guy though.

I honestly don't think they trade either of them. This perfect deal for Twins and gives Lewis another year to develop. Remember this move is going to extremely our utility production as I've documented how bad Marwin and Adrianza were last year. My guess Polanco turns into the super utility role cause he can play everywhere.

jester1534 wrote:

Camden0916 wrote:Well, the Twins didn't land Francisco Lindor or Trevor Story this off-season, and they also didn't sign Marcus Semien despite rumors that they had some interest there. But they did sign arguably the best fielder in the game when healthy. Andrelton Simmons for one-year is a deal I can rally behind. The left side of the infield should be a huge strength for this team.

I also like the domino effect it has on Jorge Polanco and Luis Arraez. Polanco likely moves over to second base where he should be better defensively, or he's used in the utility role moving around the infield where needed while Arraez holds it down at second. I'm fine with either outcome.

I think this also opens the doors for a possible Polanco, or more likely Arraez, trade that hopefully adds quality starting pitching to the roster. I'm still hopeful for a trade with the Cincinnati Reds that lands Luis Castillo and Nick Castellanos, personally.

Question for yah

Would you do Arraez for Syndergaard? It be two years of Thor coming off Tommy John vs 5 years of control on Arraez. I don't think I would pull the trigger. I'm big Castillo guy though.

I honestly don't think they trade either of them. This perfect deal for Twins and gives Lewis another year to develop. Remember this move is going to extremely our utility production as I've documented how bad Marwin and Adrianza were last year. My guess Polanco turns into the super utility role cause he can play everywhere.

I was advocating for a Byron Buxton for Noah Syndergaard trade just over a year ago so to answer your question, yes. I would be all over your proposed Luis Arraez for Thor trade. It's a bit of a risk, no doubt, but I believe in Syndergaard's talent and when he's on he's one of the absolute best aces in baseball.

I also think Arraez is more easily replaceable than a frontline starter, but I recognize that that's just a difference in team-building strategies.

If I had it my way, Minnesota would have already thrown a meaty offer at Cincinnati for Luis Castillo. I love his arsenal and his command on the mound. He's exactly what this rotation needs if they really want to contend for a World Series title. That fastball/changeup combination is maybe the most devastating in baseball. Sign me up. And I also wouldn't be unhappy about taking back Nick Castellanos' salary in return. He slides into the everyday lineup as a right-handed bat in the designated hitter slot, which mitigates his defensive weaknesses a bit.

Listening to Gleeman and the Geek on the way in. The plan is to have Polanco move to second and Arraez to go in Marwin role where hell start 120+ games. Sounds like the twins were in on Semien till the very end but the price tag was to much. I believe he got paid 5 mil more than whay MLBTR had him at. Still I love deal and it keeps the books clean for next year.

Think 2 years ago we went from a Sano Polanco left side of infield arguable the worst defsenive left side in the league. To know we have 2 perennial gold glovers in Donaldson and Simmons. I hate to make early perdection but I bet Polanco will reate as a top 8 2nd baseman defensivley this year. Polanco hands or mobility have never been the problem. It has been his lack of arm strength.

Honestly when the Twins play Jefferes they will have the best definisve team in baseball if healthy

jester1534 wrote:Listening to Gleeman and the Geek on the way in. The plan is to have Polanco move to second and Arraez to go in Marwin role where hell start 120+ games. Sounds like the twins were in on Semien till the very end but the price tag was to much. I believe he got paid 5 mil more than whay MLBTR had him at. Still I love deal and it keeps the books clean for next year.

Think 2 years ago we went from a Sano Polanco left side of infield arguable the worst defsenive left side in the league. To know we have 2 perennial gold glovers in Donaldson and Simmons. I hate to make early perdection but I bet Polanco will reate as a top 8 2nd baseman defensivley this year. Polanco hands or mobility have never been the problem. It has been his lack of arm strength.

Honestly when the Twins play Jefferes they will have the best definisve team in baseball if healthy

Agreed, jester. Not to mention, Minnesota might actually improve defensively in the outfield as well with Alex Kiriloff and Jake Cave replacing Eddie Rosario in left field. Rosario, as I'm sure you know, typically didn't grade out too well by most defensive metrics.

Like you, I also think Jorge Polanco is going to be much better at second. I always felt like his range and throwing arm played better at the keystone rather than at short and it was just a matter of time. I'd compare the move to when Brian Dozier moved full-time from short to second, though I don't necessarily expect Polanco to be a defensive stud like Dozier was for a number of years. I like Minnesota's infield much better now.

Actually Dozier had Only had one good year 2016 where his UZR was above zero. This why it was big complaint when won the gold glove in 2017 the stats didnt back up him winning that year. He should've won the year before.

Polanco actually posted his first positive UZR last year. A lot of that had to do with postioning and Donaldson. I'm guesing that trend will go up with the move to 2nd base.

From Gleeman article today on the Atheltic.

No shortstop has ever had more Defensive Runs Saved than Simmons (plus-191) through age 30, and he trails only 11-time Gold Glove winner Ozzie Smith (plus-239) and eight-time Gold Glove winner Mark Belanger (plus-240) on the career DRS leaderboard.

AKA the Byron Buxton of Short Stops when healthy

I have not been paying attention, but that is an awesome signing for us if he stays healthy. Who plays more games next year? (Buxton, Donaldson, or Simmons) How many games do they play together?

Nelson Cruz signs for 1 year 13 million.

Quite the off-season. #1 thing I love about this front office is they keep the books clean.