Roster Sausage

Richie the Rally Goat · May 5, 2014

And who would that be? Wilson is barely a AA outfielder. The next guy in line is Kepler, who is not a center fielder, but he's playing there until Buxton comes back. The Red Wings have been using utility guys in center. The Rock Cats have been using a corner man (Ortiz).

Good point, but just because you decided to start the season with 2 CF options among AAA and MLB doesn't mean you continue to roll with only 2. There have been AAAA free agents floating in DFA land all spring. Ideal, no, but better than an outfield of Kubel, Fuld, and Escobar. The roster pinch is getting worse with Mauer injured. I think he'll see the DL very soon.

Richie the Rally Goat · May 5, 2014

True for CF, not for SS. They have questions about Danny Santana.

I disagree, look at the CF and outfield situation for the Twins, Buxton is the only player who could move a guy out of the roster, but there are three outfield positions. Arcia should be a DH, Hicks is a long ways from being a corner outfielder and at his rate of progression will be lucky to be the 4th outfielder. Kubel is about done, Willingham is done, and the only other prospect in the outfield you hear about is Kepler. Maybe Rosario, but he's marginal as an outfielder.

Richie the Rally Goat · May 5, 2014

I was a fan of the Span and Revere trades, and I still am, but they were a big contribution to the mess.

cmathewson · May 5, 2014

I disagree, look at the CF and outfield situation for the Twins, Buxton is the only player who could move a guy out of the roster, but there are three outfield positions. Arcia should be a DH, Hicks is a long ways from being a corner outfielder and at his rate of progression will be lucky to be the 4th outfielder. Kubel is about done, Willingham is done, and the only other prospect in the outfield you hear about is Kepler. Maybe Rosario, but he's marginal as an outfielder.

I wouldn't give up on Arcia as a corner outfielder. He has really improved his defense, and he's only 22 years old. Plouffe could move to right when Sano comes. Rosario will hit enough and play good enough defense to man a corner. Walker is a prospect, as is Harrison. We have more outfield depth in the system than I can remember. Most of it is in Fort Myers.

Kirby_waved_at_me · May 7, 2014

Honest question - what is the ideal outfield (defensively) for the Twins using healthy players on the 40-man roster?

[TABLE=class: team_table_results, width: 100%]

[/TH]

[TH=class: playernameHead]Outfielders

B/T

Ht

Wt

DOB

[TR=bgcolor: #eeeeee]

31

[TD=class: playerName]Oswaldo Arcia http://mlb.mlb.com/images/team/icon_dl.gif 15-day DL *

[/TD]

L-R

6'0"

220

May 9, 1991

[/TR]

1

[TD=class: playerName]Sam Fuld

[/TD]

L-L

5'10"

175

Nov 20, 1981

[TR=bgcolor: #eeeeee]

32

[TD=class: playerName]Aaron Hicks http://mlb.mlb.com/images/team/icon_dl.gif 7-day DL *

[/TD]

S-R

6'2"

190

Oct 2, 1989

[/TR]

67

[TD=class: playerName]Max Kepler *

[/TD]

L-L

6'4"

205

Feb 10, 1993

[TR=bgcolor: #eeeeee]

13

[TD=class: playerName]Jason Kubel

[/TD]

L-R

6'0"

220

May 25, 1982

[/TR]

16

[TD=class: playerName]Josh Willingham http://mlb.mlb.com/images/team/icon_dl.gif 15-day DL *

[/TD]

R-R

6'2"

230

Feb 17, 1979

[TR=bgcolor: #eeeeee]

[/TD]

[TD=class: playerName]Kenny Wilson *

R-R

5'11"

195

Jan 30, 1990

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

The Twins only have two healthy outfielders on the 25 man roster.

Mike Sixel · May 7, 2014

kriby......there isn't one that is ideal.....that is such a sad list it is unbelievable really. Three years into a rebuild, and they have 1 legit OF on the 40 man roster (ok, two if you count Arcia and Kubel both).

But, if I had to choose........Kubel in LF (wow, that's their best LF option on D), Arcia in RF, and, um, only defense? I guess Fuld?

Kirby_waved_at_me · May 7, 2014

LF - Kubel

CF - Fuld

RF - go directly to Herrmann / Colabello, do not pass go, do not collect $200.

Arcia and Hicks being out are really cramping the Twins' style right now. Kubel is passably ok as a left fielder, but wouldn't be better defensively to have Hicks and Fuld in Left and Center, and Kubel in right?

Offensively Kubel, Fuld, and Arcia (when healthy) is probably the best the Twins can get right now.

Hosken Bombo Disco · May 7, 2014

Honest question - what is the ideal outfield (defensively) for the Twins using healthy players on the 40-man roster?

[TABLE=class: team_table_results, width: 100%]
[/TH]
[TH=class: playernameHead]Outfielders
B/T
Ht
Wt
DOB
[TR=bgcolor: #eeeeee]
31
[TD=class: playerName]Oswaldo Arcia http://mlb.mlb.com/images/team/icon_dl.gif 15-day DL *[/TD]
L-R
6'0"
220
May 9, 1991
[/TR]
1
[TD=class: playerName]Sam Fuld[/TD]
L-L
5'10"
175
Nov 20, 1981
[TR=bgcolor: #eeeeee]
32
[TD=class: playerName]Aaron Hicks http://mlb.mlb.com/images/team/icon_dl.gif 7-day DL *[/TD]
S-R
6'2"
190
Oct 2, 1989
[/TR]
67
[TD=class: playerName]Max Kepler *[/TD]
L-L
6'4"
205
Feb 10, 1993
[TR=bgcolor: #eeeeee]
13
[TD=class: playerName]Jason Kubel[/TD]
L-R
6'0"
220
May 25, 1982
[/TR]
16
[TD=class: playerName]Josh Willingham http://mlb.mlb.com/images/team/icon_dl.gif 15-day DL *[/TD]
R-R
6'2"
230
Feb 17, 1979
[TR=bgcolor: #eeeeee]
[/TD]
[TD=class: playerName]Kenny Wilson *
R-R
5'11"
195
Jan 30, 1990
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

The Twins only have two healthy outfielders on the 25 man roster.

Wow Kirby, old data presented in a new way can be quite a wake up.

Hosken Bombo Disco · May 7, 2014

What does the common wisdom say for the peak hitting age for baseball players?

27-32?

25-29?

How many outfielders on the Twins 40-man roster fall within those age ranges?

Siehbiscuit · May 7, 2014

Honest question - what is the ideal outfield (defensively) for the Twins using healthy players on the 40-man roster?

[TABLE=class: team_table_results, width: 100%]
[/TH]
[TH=class: playernameHead]Outfielders
B/T
Ht
Wt
DOB
[TR=bgcolor: #eeeeee]
31
[TD=class: playerName]Oswaldo Arcia http://mlb.mlb.com/images/team/icon_dl.gif 15-day DL *[/TD]
L-R
6'0"
220
May 9, 1991
[/TR]
1
[TD=class: playerName]Sam Fuld[/TD]
L-L
5'10"
175
Nov 20, 1981
[TR=bgcolor: #eeeeee]
32
[TD=class: playerName]Aaron Hicks http://mlb.mlb.com/images/team/icon_dl.gif 7-day DL *[/TD]
S-R
6'2"
190
Oct 2, 1989
[/TR]
67
[TD=class: playerName]Max Kepler *[/TD]
L-L
6'4"
205
Feb 10, 1993
[TR=bgcolor: #eeeeee]
13
[TD=class: playerName]Jason Kubel[/TD]
L-R
6'0"
220
May 25, 1982
[/TR]
16
[TD=class: playerName]Josh Willingham http://mlb.mlb.com/images/team/icon_dl.gif 15-day DL *[/TD]
R-R
6'2"
230
Feb 17, 1979
[TR=bgcolor: #eeeeee]
[/TD]
[TD=class: playerName]Kenny Wilson *
R-R
5'11"
195
Jan 30, 1990
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

The Twins only have two healthy outfielders on the 25 man roster.

Kubel in LF

Hicks in CF (obviously when he gets healthy). This is his year to see if he can be a MLB centerfielder. KLaw says the bat will "never play in a corner spot." He is future trade bait for when Buxton arrives.

RF - Arcia or even Parmalee (get a guy like Hermmann of the 40 man).

Kirby_waved_at_me · May 7, 2014

Well, it is to be expected during a rebuilding effort to have guys on the way up under that prime age. The Twins are a season or two away from "too many" outfielders, but that's certainly not a problem today.

I think it's just something the team will have to struggle with this season. We don't know who they offered contracts to this offseason (or how much they offered), maybe they tried to get some of those marginal to useful guys like Chris Young, Rajai Davis, etc. but didn't think they were worth the $8 - $10 million contracts that they ended up signing for to be depth for the team.

stringer bell · May 7, 2014

If and when the Hammer returns, I say they are far better defensively with Kubel manning left than Willingham. That is to say that when Kubel and Willingham are both in the same lineup, Kubel should be the left fielder, Willingham the DH. I suppose they could flip-flop on day games after night games. Kubel has been very good in left except for his lack of range.

tobi0040 · May 7, 2014

Maybe this is another thread, But given the way we manage our roster, aren't we going to always be at a disadvantage against the likes of Boston, Oakland and Tampa Bay? Guys like Meyer, Sano, and Buxton will make the team better, but if we have a guy like Hermann over someone that can platoon and improve a weak spot on your team or give you a good PH at bat at a critical time, over 162 games won't that always hurt this team?

JB_Iowa · May 8, 2014

When Fuld hit the wall last night, I thought .... wow, it could get worse yet.

Mike Berardino ‏@MikeBerardino 2m
Sam Fuld being checked for possible concussion.
- Mike Berardino ‏@MikeBerardino 3m
  Today's revised outfield: Herrmann right, Kubel left , Escobar center
  
  Feel like I exhaled too soon.....

Craig Arko · May 8, 2014

Mike Berardino ‏@MikeBerardino 2m
Sam Fuld being checked for possible concussion.
Mike Berardino ‏@MikeBerardino 3m
Today's revised outfield: Herrmann right, Kubel left , Escobar center

Feel like I exhaled too soon.....

This should be an adventure. I guess they're trying to get someone (Nunez?) up by game time.

stringer bell · May 10, 2014

I'm going to comment on this thread in response to the latest roster moves. Aaron Hicks comes off the concussion DL and Chris Parmelee is brought in from Rochester. They essentially replace the struggling Herrmann and Florimon.

On the 25-man roster, Hicks becomes the only viable center fielder. The corners are fortified, with Parmelee and Kubel being capable (although range limited) and Nuñez having some experience in right and left. I suppose Colabello also should be added, although I have cringed every time I've seen him in right. On to first base--Parmelee and Colabello are both capable major league first basemen. We don't know if Mauer is going to hit the DL, but if he does, the options at first are satisfactory.

The Twins continue with 13 pitchers, swapping out Darnell for Matt Guerrier. You just can't have too many 30+ (y.o.) RH middle relievers! That leaves five RH starters, one closer, two lefty middle guys and five RH middle guys with one of them (Swarzak?) being the long guy.

For right now, the addition of Nuñez and Parm makes the club more versatile and certainly the hitting of Parmelee and Nuñez should exceed that of the departed Herrmann and P-Flo. Having only two catchers will mean less DH time for Pinto, but probably a bit more time behind the dish.

IMHO, there is no one position player at Rochester who has a case for being promoted any time soon. However, there are three disabled players due back this month unless something has changed. Fuld has five days to go on the concussion list. He should be ready to go when his time is up. Arcia has rehabbed for a couple weeks, looked to be close to ready, but missed a day due to soreness. He played last night, so he should/could be ready any day. Willingham seems poised to go on a rehab assignment in the next week for sure. I just saw that Mauer might DH as soon as today, so perhaps he won't hit the DL.

stringer bell · May 10, 2014

With the likely activation of Fuld and Arcia, there would be a relative glut of corner OF/DH/1B types. The Twins would also have to clear two spots on the 25-man roster. One would almost have to be a relief pitcher. Perhaps Guerrier? The Rangers had a roster deadline with Scott Baker, promoted him and promptly DFAed him after one appearance. Could the Twins do the same to Matty G? Burton? He has been much better in his last appearances dating back about two weeks. Lost velo is a red flag, but effective pitching is effective pitching.

Of the position players, Parmelee would be a candidate, but he has no options, so he would have to be DFAed to get sent to Rochester. As I understand it, he would then have the option to become a free agent since it would be his second DFA. Santana or Nuñez would be the other choices. Santana needs to play every day, but so far has performed well for the Twins. Nuñez offers a much better bat than the guy/guys he replaced, has speed and versatility, but he is one of two utility infielders for the Twins. Or the Twins could option Arcia. While his numbers look OK at Rochester, just two days ago he sat out a game for soreness (I presume in the wrist) and he isn't dominating Triple A pitching (no homers, .744 OPS), so perhaps he needs more time in Rochester.

What should the Twins do? What will they do? Unfortunately, those queries most likely have two different answers,

Richie the Rally Goat · May 10, 2014

I wouldn't give up on Arcia as a corner outfielder. He has really improved his defense, and he's only 22 years old. Plouffe could move to right when Sano comes. Rosario will hit enough and play good enough defense to man a corner. Walker is a prospect, as is Harrison. We have more outfield depth in the system than I can remember. Most of it is in Fort Myers.

its more likely Mauer goes to the outfield than Plouffe. It's well documented catchers make the best right fielders.

Richie the Rally Goat · May 10, 2014

Well, it is to be expected during a rebuilding effort to have guys on the way up under that prime age. The Twins are a season or two away from "too many" outfielders, but that's certainly not a problem today.

I think it's just something the team will have to struggle with this season. We don't know who they offered contracts to this offseason (or how much they offered), maybe they tried to get some of those marginal to useful guys like Chris Young, Rajai Davis, etc. but didn't think they were worth the $8 - $10 million contracts that they ended up signing for to be depth for the team.

i demand that there are many players (throughout the season) with the big league club who are a bit premature. At the very least getting the September call up.

All of the depth at outfield is prospects, and none of them are a lock, including Buxton. While Buxton is as close to a sure thing as you can be as a prospect, we have all seen what can happen over the course of a season or two, to count you chickens before they are hatched.

Thrylos · May 10, 2014

The corners are fortified, with Parmelee and Kubel being capable (although range limited) and Nuñez having some experience in right and left. I suppose Colabello also should be added, although I have cringed every time I've seen him in right. On to first base--Parmelee and Colabello are both capable major league first basemen. .

Colabello is horrible at the outfield and terrible at first base. Now his bat has been quiet, because pitchers have adjusted and got new scouting reports. The last 2 weeks he has been hitting .171/.244/.268. That is Buteresque. The last 4 weeks Kubel has been hitting .203/.292/.228 . That is also Buteresque. This is the expected performance level of those two 30+ year old guys, not the mirage of the first few days. If Suzuki suddenly regresses to his expected level, this team will be in trouble.

They do have issues with outfielders right now so Kubel might have a spot until Willingham returns, but there is zero reason to have Vargas (hitting .287/.371/.504 and playing better first base than Colabello) in New Britain, and Colabello stinking it up both with the glove and the bat in the majors. I like him, great guy, great story, but great stories do not win games, and it is time for this team to turn the page on the 30+ year olds who will not be part of the future.

Mr. Brooks · May 10, 2014

Colabello is horrible at the outfield and terrible at first base. Now his bat has been quiet, because pitchers have adjusted and got new scouting reports. The last 2 weeks he has been hitting .171/.244/.268. That is Buteresque. The last 4 weeks Kubel has been hitting .203/.292/.228 . That is also Buteresque. This is the expected performance level of those two 30+ year old guys, not the mirage of the first few days. If Suzuki suddenly regresses to his expected level, this team will be in trouble.

They do have issues with outfielders right now so Kubel might have a spot until Willingham returns, but there is zero reason to have Vargas (hitting .287/.371/.504 and playing better first base than Colabello) in New Britain, and Colabello stinking it up both with the glove and the bat in the majors. I like him, great guy, great story, but great stories do not win games, and it is time for this team to turn the page of the 30+ year olds who will not be part of the future.

They may not win ballgames, but they do a hell of a Brother Louie cover.

[video=youtube;exl0oSfTSoY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exl0oSfTSoY

TKGuy · May 10, 2014

In my opinion, to clear the roster spots, Arcia will be in AAA AND Tonkin will get sent down. Santana so far has shown he can play, so if he falters any, then I would guess he could be sent down. There is no reason to have 13 pitchers at this point, since the starters are coming into form

stringer bell · May 10, 2014

A month or two from now, we will know a lot more about Kubel/Colabello. Overall, they've exceeded expectations, but I hold no illusions about long-term success. I know that Colabello made a bad error and didn't make a play or two that he could have made, but I think he's passable as a 1B. We've already seen way too much of him in right field (dreadful, horrible, awful are words that come to me). Kubel's been good in left, but he has no foot speed.

I'd like to see Vargas up at some time this season. He seems to have made major gains both hitting and fielding and he is a switch hitter with power, wouldn't that be nice on the Twins team?

Thrylos · May 10, 2014

I'd like to see Vargas up at some time this season. He seems to have made major gains both hitting and fielding and he is a switch hitter with power, wouldn't that be nice on the Twins team?

Vargas has always been a good hitter. He actually was better than Sano when both were in Beloit (of course he is older than Sano, but still was young for each league he played in.) Working with Mientkiewitz at Fort Myers for a full season made wonders for his play at first. There are people who have not seen him play recently and look at him and think that he cannot play, but it is not true. This Spring Training he actually made some pretty great plays with the glove for the big team including a diving catch on a liner in a televised game, which I hope opened some eyes...

stringer bell · May 11, 2014

I'm presuming that Fuld will be ready when his seven days are up, and that Arcia is about ready to come up, but really hasn't shown he's ready to be good in the majors. I would bring in Arcia and disable Fien. When Fuld is activated, I would send down Hicks and go with Santana and Fuld as center fielders. With Arcia returning, one of Kubel, Colabello and Parmelee could sit.

Hosken Bombo Disco · May 12, 2014

Unbelievably, Chris Parmelee is the only outfielder on the 40 man roster who is between the ages 24-32, peak hitting years. (Kubel actually turns 32 in two weeks but no longer can perform anywhere near peak).

Parmelee must be allowed to play RF regularly. Both for development reasons and because he's among our best options.

Riverbrian · May 12, 2014

Can Parm be sent down without risk of losing him?

TheLeviathan · May 12, 2014

My question is, when Arcia, Willingham, and Fuld come back....is there a way for them to play someone in CF that has Fuld on the bench and Hicks in AAA?

The best I can see is Parms playing CF. Which, sadly, I may not be 100% opposed to.

stringer bell · May 12, 2014

Can Parm be sent down without risk of losing him?

Nope. He's out of options. If he were to be sent down, he would have to be DFAed and IIRC, if he cleared waivers, he would have the option to declare himself a free agent.

stringer bell · May 12, 2014

My question is, when Arcia, Willingham, and Fuld come back....is there a way for them to play someone in CF that has Fuld on the bench and Hicks in AAA?

The best I can see is Parms playing CF. Which, sadly, I may not be 100% opposed to.

Danny Santana! He has the raw tools to be a good center fielder. It would be a risk, but he might be have enough tools to overcome his lack of experience.

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