Thread: Article: Twins Send Five to Minor League Camp

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I think that the pitching situation looks a bit clearer. The following are fighiting for 3 pen sports (and Hendriks might replace Baker). Asterisk denotes players on the 40-man roster. # denotes players out of options.

Alex Burnett *
Jared Burton
Casey Fien
Jeff Gray *#
Liam Hendriks *
Matt Maloney *#
Jeff Manship *
Kyle Waldrop *
Brendan Wise

With the 2 open spots already on the roster (and Nishoka's and Gray's also potentially open) I think that the team is in good shape at this point.

I think Maloney will make the team, the rest being a toss-up with Burnett and Gray probably the least likely at this point

May I ask, why do you think that Gray is unlikely to make the team, especially since he is out of options? Another question, if the Twins had to choose, assuming that Swarzak (who hasn't pitched great this spring), Duensing, Capps, and Perkins are locks for the bullpen, who would the other three be? It seems like there is an epic struggle between Maloney, Waldrop, Manship, Fien, and Burton for those three spots. Also, who says that Swarzak, with having given up 4 ER in 5 2/3 innings this spring, is a lock for the bullpen anymore with the way Gardy and Smith are talking? Duensing, while still iffy at best against righties, has been a starter and could take over the long reliever/ spot starter role and Swarzak's impact would immediately diminish, and I think the twins are trying to find the best players they have instead of going with those who have been in the majors before.

Originally Posted by thrylos98

I think that the pitching situation looks a bit clearer. The following are fighiting for 3 pen sports (and Hendriks might replace Baker). Asterisk denotes players on the 40-man roster. # denotes players out of options.

Alex Burnett *
Jared Burton
Casey Fien
Jeff Gray *#
Liam Hendriks *
Matt Maloney *#
Jeff Manship *
Kyle Waldrop *
Brendan Wise

With the 2 open spots already on the roster (and Nishoka's and Gray's also potentially open) I think that the team is in good shape at this point.

I think Maloney will make the team, the rest being a toss-up with Burnett and Gray probably the least likely at this point

Swarzak is out options as well?

Unfortunately, I do believe that Swarzak is out of options, which is why he probably makes the team (even though Gardy and Ryan have said that being out of options isn't cause to keep you on the team this year)

I would say Swarzak, who is out of options, is more likely than Gray simply because the club has invested much more time in him. The rational may not seem just, but seeing as the organization has put so much effort and so many years into developing him, they're going to want to see definitive proof at the MLB level that it is not going to pay off.

Chang is clearly not viewed as ready for this year if they haven't given him as many opportunities in games as they have the other middle infielders. I think (based on some quotes I've seen) that Gardy really likes Dozier or maybe he is just posturing to put some pressure on Alexi because whenever Alexi is handed a job he seems to stink it up.

Originally Posted by twinsfiend

Chang is clearly not viewed as ready for this year if they haven't given him as many opportunities in games as they have the other middle infielders.

Chang actually appeared in one more official game that Burroughs and he was out a bit when he hit his head earlier in the camp.

Originally Posted by J-Dog Dungan

Also, who says that Swarzak, with having given up 4 ER in 5 2/3 innings this spring, is a lock for the bullpen anymore with the way Gardy and Smith are talking?

Lets remember that several of those runs were when he came in to mop up the 10 run first inning of Doyle's start. He allowed several runs after not having adequate time to warm up.

I hope Michael Hollimon makes the roster as a bench player if Dozier won't. Why in the world has reliever Alex Burnett not been optioned back to Rochester yet. They can't seriously be considering him??

Originally Posted by Fanatic Jack

I hope Michael Hollimon makes the roster as a bench player if Dozier won't. Why in the world has reliever Alex Burnett not been optioned back to Rochester yet. They can't seriously be considering him??

He's bounced back with 2 good outings