Tuesday, December 23

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- As I come to you from my cozy home in the Minneapolis suburbs, it’s a balmy 8 degrees outside. Not to get too hacky here, but where I grew up, that’s a flip flop size, not a temperature.

But the point is this: It’s definitely winter. The playoffs have been over for a month, and baseball has had a chance to catch its breath and regroup. And so it’s time for the annual Winter Meetings, which get under way next week in Orlando. We still don’t know just how busy the Twins will be this winter, or in what direction, but we’ll probably start getting some answers by the time the Meetings wrap up on Dec. 10.

It’s somewhat challenging to preview anything that Minnesota will do this winter, because it all ties into one big question. Or maybe more accurately, a couple of related questions, and until we have answers to those, we can’t really answer the rest of them.

Those questions of course are: What will the payroll be? And, will the Twins continue trading away veterans?

As of right now, the answers to those questions are unknown, at least outside of the baseball operations offices at Target Field. President of baseball and business operations Derek Falvey has said that his intent is to add to the roster without having to subtract, but those statements have consistently been more couched than categorical.

And while we may not receive direct answers to the two questions next week -- though we’ll definitely ask -- there will almost certainly be clues by the time the baseball world packs up and heads home after the Rule 5 Draft.

Here’s a look at what you need to know as the Meetings approach.

Club needs 

The big one is the bullpen. The Twins have made one move to bolster the relief corps, adding Eric Orze from the Rays, but more is needed. They likely will need to add at least one late-inning right-hander and one left-hander, even if they decide to turn to some internal options to help full bullpen spots -- and they’re likely to do that.

The Twins could also use a starting first baseman if they’d like to return Kody Clemens to a utility role, but it is possible Clemens could serve as the primary first baseman. Some defensive help in the middle infield would be beneficial, too.

Potential trade candidates 

If they decide to part with one or both, the Twins could have two of the most desirable players on the trade market: right-handed starters Pablo López and Joe Ryan. López, coming off an effective but injury shortened season, is their highest paid player. Ryan was the team’s pitcher of the year. Both are under club control through 2027, making them immensely valuable.

You can be sure that no matter what the plan is, no matter what the guidance from ownership is, teams will be calling about both of them, as well as catcher Ryan Jeffers. What we don’t know is whether the response will be more along the lines of, “Sure, nobody’s untouchable, but we have no interest in moving these guys” or, “We’re open for business; make your best offer.”

Prospects to know

The name that has everyone excited is Walker Jenkins, a five-tool center fielder who could make an impact as soon as the second half of next season. Outfielder Emmanuel Rodriguez and infielder Kaelen Culpepper are both exciting as well. 

But for short-term impact, look to the pitching side. Right-hander Mick Abel scuffled in his Twins debut but remains promising and will compete for a rotation spot. And righty Marco Raya and lefty Connor Prielipp both have huge arms and could be exciting bullpen options in short order.

Rule 5 Draft 

A productive farm system means the Twins had a lot of choices when it came to protecting players for the Rule 5 Draft, and some interesting names were left exposed. That list includes righty C.J. Culpepper, outfielder Kala’i Rosario and outfielder Kyler Fedko. Still, if they can clear room, the Twins are likely to take a flyer on at least one player when the Rule 5 rolls around.

Burning question 

Let’s narrow it down to one question that really crystallizes all of the uncertainty: Will they trade López, Ryan, both or neither?

We’ll get into this matter in more depth at Twins.com later this week, but if you know the answer to this, then you probably know the entire direction this offseason will take. If they hold on to both, that’s a good indicator that the retooling is complete. If they trade both, we’re talking full rebuild. If they trade one but not the other, then it’s probably somewhere in between.

It’s that time of year. And be ready, because I’ll have five more next week. I adore Christmas music. Sorry not sorry.

• The Waitresses, “Christmas Wrapping”
• Run-D.M.C., “Christmas in Hollis”
• Darlene Love, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”
• Stevie Wonder, “That’s What Christmas Means to Me”
• Band Aid, “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”

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