I understand that. As I explained, prior to the Donaldson signing the team hadn't gotten better because anyone they brought in was either already there last year or replacing someone they lost. The Donaldson signing, however, is a huge addition.PHATJ wrote:As I explained, those moves combined with the additional moves do make them better.philpritchard wrote:Sure, they "count" as moves they made this offseason, but those ones don't make the team better than last year.PHATJ wrote:Odorizzi, Pineda, and Romo were all unrestricted free agents. Those signings count and are significant. Bailey doesn’t jump out as a particularly impressive signing, but in his final eight starts for Oakland last year he was VERY good. Look at the numbers. Apparently they adjusted his pitch sequencing and tinkered with his mechanics and the results were evident. The Twins appear confident they can continue to get quality innings for a season.philpritchard wrote:Considering Odorizzi, Pineda, and Romo were already there last year and Bailey/Hill/Avila/Clippard are worse than the group of free agents they lost, they were basically treading water until the Donaldson deal. That's a huge one, though, and should move the needle and make them the clear favourite in the central, but outside of him that's a pretty unimpressive list.PHATJ wrote:Twins this offseason:
When healthy, which is admittedly rare, Rich Hill can be absolutely filthy. For $3MM this signing could be huge the second half of the season. Avila more than adequately replaces Jason Castro as a complimentary catcher for Mitch Garver. Tyler Clippard is a competitive bullpen arm that gets added to a group that is already one of the best in the league.
When you mention the free agents the Twins lost, I’m assuming you mean Jonathan Schoop and CJ Cron. The Twins are replacing Schoop with Luis Arraez. Arráez hit .334 last year and walked more than he struck out. By the second half of last season he was playing every day and Schoop was not - and he was just a rookie. No back step there. And CJ Cron has been effectively replaced by Josh Donaldson. Cron is a solid player, but he’s not close to Donaldson’s class. Donaldson vastly improves the left side infield defense, and extends the already record setting lineup.
The Twins have significantly improved this offseason. And I think there’s a really good chance that they will make a trade for an impact starting pitcher too. They have the depth and farm system to make that happen if they want to.
Retaining Odorizzi, Pineda, and Romo is important, but it doesn't make them better than last year.
Replacing Gibson and Perez with Bailey and Hill is important, but it doesn't make them better than last year.
Replacing Castro with Avila is important, but it doesn't make them better than last year.
Extending Sano is awesome, but it doesn't make them better than last year.
Adding Donaldson without losing anyone significant from the offense, though, is huge.
