How Many Roster Spots are Locked in for 2021?
Jan 08 2021 08:01 PM |
Cooper Carlson
in Minnesota Twins
Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Every offseason we like to focus on the players who will be moving around either by trade or free agency, but why not switch it up? Let's look at the players on the Twins roster who have about a 95% chance to start the season where they're currently projected. This will also give us an update to where the team still has to improve!Let's see how many players on the 25 man roster the Twins could still be having conversations about and who is locked into their spot.
Infield/catcher locks (3/5):
- Mitch Garver, C
- Miguel Sano, 1B
- ??, 2B
- ??, SS
- Josh Donaldson, 3B
The positions not listed here, shortstop and second base, will hopefully be cleared soon. If the Twins acquire a player like Trevor Story or Andrelton Simmons, who will play second base? That is yet to be seen, but the rumors are flying high.
Outfield locks (2/3):
- ??, LF
- Byron Buxton, CF
- Max Kepler, RF
Rotation locks (3/5):
- Kenta Maeda
- Jose Berrios
- Michael Pineda
- ??
- ??
Bullpen locks (6/8):
- Taylor Rogers
- Tyler Duffey
- Jorge Alcala
- Hansel Robles
- Caleb Thielbar
- Cody Stashak
- ??
- ??
Bench locks (2/4):
- Ryan Jeffers, C
- Jake Cave, OF
- ??
- ??
According to my finished list, the Twins have 16 of their 25 roster spots basically ready to go. The other 9 will be confirmed or adjusted by the time Spring Training comes to a close.
Will the Twins make a big trade or two? What about getting that big name free agent? Only time will tell. A chunk of this will also depend on the Nelson Cruz decision.
SEE ALSO
- Top 20 Minnesota Twins Assets of 2021: Part 4 (1-5)
- What Does the Francisco Lindor Trade Mean for the Twins?
- AL Central Offseason Update: Twins Wait While Others Active
- The 5 Biggest Trades Minnesota Could Make This Offseason
- Wolfson: Despite Lack of Action, Nelson Cruz Wants to Remain a Twin
- DocBauer, nclahammer and Doctor Gast like this
29 Comments
There are two scenarios where Polanco and/or Arraez are not total locks for the coming season.
1) One or both of them are disabled and unable to play which necessitates a sudden decision to sign or trade for a regular shortstop or second baseman.
2) The Twins complete a total blockbuster trade like some have suggested. For example, Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo, and Mike Moustakos arriving in return for Luis Arraez, Mitch Garver, Trevor Larnach, Randy Dobnak, and Lewis Thorpe.
The Twins signed Polanco to a very team friendly long term contract and while not permanent there were discussions about his position and place on the field at that time. Arraez has a unique set of skills that portend possible special player status.
Nothing short of debilitating injuries or a major trade will change their status in my opinion.
If this wasa gambling site, I would play 10 to 1 odds on Polanco and Arraez as locks.
However, I have lost before. Such is life. Go Twins.
But I thought that's what we were talking about (or roster changes in general, such as free agents). Of course, if the roster remains as it is, we have Jorge and Luis turning the double plays. Royce Lewis is extremely unlikely to be promoted, and there aren't really any other internal candidates for middle infield.
There is no similar discussion at third base. Healthy, Josh Donaldson will be the starter, and there are zero rumors about trying to acquire a different starter there. Sano's at 1B, Buxton's our CF, Maeda/Berrios/Pineda make up the front of our rotation - barring injury, in each case - and while there may be contingency plans for filling in for any of these players in case of injury, there are no signs of actually going in some different direction than these locks.
SS and 2B, by contrast, could change before Opening Day.
The article stated pretty clearly: "Why not clear up a bit of confusion by looking at who the Twins AREN'T trying to acquire?"
Has there been any news regarding How much Lewis progressed defensively while working at the alternate site last summer? I supposed any report by the Twins is going to be somewhat propaganda but it would still be nice to hear they are happy with his progress. One of the FA SS makes sense if they think he is still a full year away from being ready.
Buxton, Sano, Berrios, Maeda, and more are all available under the right circumstances. Twins Daily articles and discussions have mentioned Garver, Sano, and more in trade conversations. The post has a lock like Cave, but leaves off two players who are just as certain as any others to be locks on the roster. Donaldson because of his contract is an exception, but the Twins would trade him too if they could.
I'm not opposed to any combinations of moves that result in the Twins being a stronger competitive team in 2021 than in 2020.
The post was locks for the roster and I believe Arraez and Polanco qualify as locks. Others disagree and want a new set of players in the middle of the infield.
I think the Twins are looking for two reserve players, one or twostarting pitchers, and one or two relief pitchers. If they stumble into JT Realmuto or other free agents or find a trade that is too good to pass up, then they will gladly make a move. The roster is pretty set on one hand but with a big wallet in hand, the Twins would clearly react to a favorable set of circumstances. It is possible to see the Twins signing Bauer, Adrianza, and Clippard and call it a day. An example of a player the Twins really needed but was clearly not available at a cost suitable to the Twins planning sheet: Liam Hendriks. So they wait, call, talk, and listen.