Gleeman And The Geek - An Unauthorized Minnesota Twins Podcast

Aaron and John are joined on Twins Daily's 2024 Winter Meltdown stage by Minnesota Twins Louie Varland and Matt Wallner.

Aaron and John talk about Amazon getting involved in the Twins' uncertain TV situation, the clock ticking on an extremely inactive offseason, Joe Mauer on the verge of the Hall of Fame, the 2024 international prospect class, and revealing this year's Winter Meltdown guests.

Aaron and John talk about the Twins' continued slow offseason that now at least includes Josh Staumont and (maybe) Ryan Jensen, why Joe Mauer's Hall of Fame chances are looking better and better, some clarity on the center field market, and our year-end podcast numbers.

Aaron and John say thank you for a fun year of Twins podcasts and talk about how Byron Buxton impacts the center field picture, which Twins players and prospects have the most trade value, Yoshinobu Yamamoto joining Shohei Ohtani in LA, and a clip of Cory Provus on the 2024 television situation

Aaron and John talk about the Twins' lack of offseason action, Shohei Ohtani's record-setting $700 million deal with the Dodgers, Joe Mauer's path to the Hall of Fame, and our predictions for the next three months.

Aaron and John talk about Cory Provus replacing Dick Bremer as the Twins' television voice, the free-agent departures of Sonny Gray, Kenta Maeda, and Emilio Pagán, how the Twins will look to fill the sizable holes in the pitching staff, and what exactly goes on at the Winter Meetings.

Aaron and John talk about Kyle Farmer, Jorge Polanco, and the Twins' most likely trade bait, tendering contracts to all seven arbitration-eligible players, Aaron Nola and the early free-agent pitching market, and why the Twins are far from the only team with a bursting TV bubble.

Aaron and John talk about the fears of the Twins' payroll declining coming true, what that means for their free agent and trade options this offseason, why going young and cheap doesn't have to be a bad thing, and Dick Bremer's exit from the TV booth after 40 years.    

Aaron and John set the stage for the Twins' offseason by talking about the projected payroll, Sonny Gray and other free agents, arbitration decisions, team options on Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler, and trade possibilities, plus a clip of our recent chat with Bobby Nightengale of the Star Tribune.    

Aaron and John talk about the Twins' season-ending awards, including their 10-person MVP ballots, plus surgeries for Byron Buxton and Alex Kirilloff, what it would mean if the Red Sox hired away general manager Thad Levine, and a review of our preseason over/under picks.

Aaron and John talk about the Twins' season coming to an end vs. the Astros, why their playoff run was both too short and hugely important, Royce Lewis and Edouard Julien stepping up, Byron Buxton stepping in for the injured Alex Kirilloff, and the offseason changes that could be coming. 

Aaron and John review the Twins' Wild Card Series win over the Toronto Blue Jays and break down facing the Houston Astros in the ALDS. 

Aaron and John talk about the Twins' upcoming playoff series against a yet-to-be-determined opponent, the odds of Carlos Correa, Royce Lewis, and Byron Buxton being in the lineup for Game 1, why the rotation plan might not be quite as simple as it first appeared, and John's attempt at the 9x9x9 Challenge. 

Aaron and John talk about the big injury questions surrounding Royce Lewis, Carlos Correa, and Byron Buxton with the Twins on the verge of clinching the division title, plus the returns of Brock Stewart and Chris Paddack, and the complicated Wild Card picture.

Aaron and John talk about the Twins closing in on clinching the AL Central, the toughest playoff roster decisions, the latest on Byron Buxton, why getting and keeping everyone healthy is essential, and how the bullpen could look much different with Brock Stewart, Louie Varland, and Chris Paddack.

Aaron and John talk about the Twins all but knocking out the Guardians, how to change a team's focus to October, Louie Varland in the bullpen, Alex Kirilloff and the future of the lineup, playoff matchup preferences, and Walker Jenkins' great first 100 plate appearances.

Aaron and John talk about the Twins' biggest remaining test, the Guardians being big winners of waiver madness, Byron Buxton and Alex Kirilloff on the verge of returning, Joe Ryan vs. Kenta Maeda for the playoff rotation, and why the struggling bullpen could still get a boost.

Aaron and John talk about the Twins pulling away from the Guardians, Joe Ryan rejoining the rotation and what it means for Dallas Keuchel, when and where Byron Buxton and Alex Kirilloff could rejoin the lineup, and the increasingly worrisome state of the bullpen. 

Aaron and John recap their Initials Game matchup with the help of Marney Gellner, and then talk about Royce Lewis' return to the Twins' lineup, when (and where) Byron Buxton might return, Ryan Jeffers' breakout season, young bats stepping up, and the state of the increasingly shaky bullpen.

Aaron and John talk about the Twins' inability to handle even the slightest success, Carlos Correa's season-long struggles, how much they should rely on veterans vs. youngsters down the stretch, Bailey Ober possibly running out of gas, and how the rotation could look come playoff time, and the 12th anniversary of the podcast.