Gleeman: Half the Twins roster is dead weight

[Willihammer]

OK, in fairness, its not quite half. There are only 19 names on Gleeman's list, and one of those probably deserves a spot next year (Oliveros). So, only 9/20th's of the roster might be considered dead weight.

 

http://aarongleeman.com/2014/09/22/who-will-the-twins-purge-from-the-40-man-roster-this-offseason-2/

[glunn]

To be clear, it appears that the list also includes marginal players.  The preface to the list says:

 

"the Twins have no shortage of dead weight on the 40-man roster, plus plenty of marginal talents clinging to spots"

[Shane Wahl]

It's a little exaggerated. I don't think I would write off Achter, Darnell, Oliveros, Herrmann, and Pressly. But, yeah 13-14 guys could easily be gone and it would be a good thing. There are certainly 10 guys I would not hesitate whatsoever to drop: Bernier, Burton, Duensing, Colabello, Fryer, Pino, Swarzak, Pryor, Thompson, and Johnson (Pelfrey makes too much money to not get a bullpen trial).

[jokin]

OK, in fairness, its not quite half. There are only 19 names on Gleeman's list, and one of those probably deserves a spot next year (Oliveros). So, only 9/20th's of the roster might be considered dead weight.

 

http://aarongleeman.com/2014/09/22/who-will-the-twins-purge-from-the-40-man-roster-this-offseason-2/

 

I'm surprised that Thielbar and Hicks aren't on the Gleeman 19 list bubble, as well.  Terry Ryan didn't exactly give Hicks a ringing endorsement on the Twins broadcast on Friday night.... I would think one of the first orders of business next month is, they shop Hicks around for indications of interest.

 

And hey, compared to Howard Sinker's estimate that the "dead weight" on this roster was "at least two dozen players" one year ago at this time, at least it's an incremental move- in terms of more rosterized talent, less rosterized dead weight- in the generally right direction. And the Twins have already shed themselves of their opening day starting SS. By contrast, the Twins first offseason move in October, 2013, was outrighting a grand total all of four players, so I would think they aren't going to go all out on the chopping block.  http://twinsdaily.com/topic/8432-twins-outright-four-players/

 

Of the Gleeman Nineteen, although it's really time to cut bait and move on from virtually the entire list, plus, perhaps, the two players named above,  I could see the Twins strongly considering retaining T-Bar and Hicksie, plus these 11:

 

Achter

Burton

Duensing

Fryer

Hermann

Oliveros

Pelfrey *

Pino *

Pressly

Swarzak

Schafer

 

* Conceivably, they might consider extending the 60-day DL into 2015 on both Pelfrey and Pino to give a couple of the others an extended tryout or showcase opportunity.

 

It's important to note that, by my count, there is a building backlog of at least 15 guys in the minors of whom a decision on whether or not to add to the 40-man will need to take place- (the 4 roster additions I would think are "locks" are in bold, plus you'd have to think of the 10 pitchers on this list, and are underlined, at least 3-4 will likely be added- for a total around 8?.... threatening some of the guys on the Gleeman Nineteen list)- including:

 

Adam

Gilmartin

Goodrum

Guerra

C Johnson

T Jones

Lee

Mejia

Meyer

Michael

Rosario

Sano

Salcedo

Shibuya

Tomshaw

 

So, that looks like perhaps maybe a minimum of 8 minor league additions, and 8 deletions, for sure- from the Gleeman 19- possibly these eight?:

 

Bernier

Colabello

Darnell

Johnson

Nunez

Parmelee

Pryor

Thompson

 

And somewhat sadly, the 11 + 2 from the first list above looks for the most part, to be safe, for now.

[The Wise One]

I do not see Herman, Oliveros, or Schaffer going unless there is someone signed that is better than they are. If Ryan anticipates Duensing or Swarzak costing more than their value, they are gone. I could see a lefthander that is cheap staying, unless Ryan can scrape someone else up.  Most will be designated for assignment when their slot is needed. The exception is the ones that need a contract like Burton Dunsing and Swarzak.

[Rosterman]

Burton is a free agent. Pino and Fryer are toast for sure. Duensing and Swarzak may be let go because of expense and resigned if they don't get better deals elsewhere. Bermier amd Colabello are also gone. Nunez and Parmelee are on the bubble. Not sure about Kris Johnson. Pelfrey needs to be designated for assignment. Chris Herrmann is replaceable. Got 40-man add, forgot Wheeler. Unless the guys are 6-year free agents, most of the above list is safe to not add *except your bolded four and Gilmartin.)

[stringer bell]

Not all of the players listed are "dead weight" and not all will be dropped from the 40-man roster. It is a good list of players who are candidates to be gone and it includes a bunch of guys who don't have much upside. I think Pryor and Oliveros have a very good chance of remaining on the 40-man and probably will get a shot sometime in 2015. Duensing and Schafer are arb-eligible and that could spell the end of their Twins' careers.

[beckmt]

I think both Duensing and Shafer will be left on the 40 man.  I do not see Gilmartin being added unless you let Milone go.  I saw 10 on Aaron's list I would have no problem in them not being here to start next year, Achter, Bernier, Burton(who will have his option declined), collobella, Darnell, Herrmann, Johnson, Pino, Thompson, and one of (Pelfrey, Nunez, Swarzak).  Depends on how many other than the top 4 the Twins have to add,Adam, Guerra, T Jones.  One or two of the other underlined above are possible, but most look too far away(were in high A or lower for me).  Will admit to not knowing enough about a couple of them to make a judgement.   Also depends if the Twins can package some players together to improve the pitching staff or find a starting outfielder for next year.

[Paul Pleiss]

Half the roster may be replaceable, but I question if the Twins have another 19 guys who could step in and take their places. No need to remove them all at once, remove them as necessary when something better comes along, or to make necessary room to protect prospects.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

It's a little exaggerated. I don't think I would write off Achter, Darnell, Oliveros, Herrmann, and Pressly. But, yeah 13-14 guys could easily be gone and it would be a good thing. There are certainly 10 guys I would not hesitate whatsoever to drop: Bernier, Burton, Duensing, Colabello, Fryer, Pino, Swarzak, Pryor, Thompson, and Johnson (Pelfrey makes too much money to not get a bullpen trial).

agreed except Pelfrey, he just makes too much money. Sunk cost, just move on.

 

To go with the theme of the season, veteran players with no options and not pulling their weight need to be the first to go, such as Swarzak, Pelfrey, Duensing, and Burton

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Burton is a free agent. Pino and Fryer are toast for sure. Duensing and Swarzak may be let go because of expense and resigned if they don't get better deals elsewhere. Bermier amd Colabello are also gone. Nunez and Parmelee are on the bubble. Not sure about Kris Johnson. Pelfrey needs to be designated for assignment. Chris Herrmann is replaceable. Got 40-man add, forgot Wheeler. Unless the guys are 6-year free agents, most of the above list is safe to not add *except your bolded four and Gilmartin.)

I would be interested to hear why Fryer would be gone. It seems to me that he's a bad hitting catcher, but it's pretty obvious that Pinto isn't looked at as an option for backup catcher. So Fryer or whom?

[jokin]

Burton is a free agent. Pino and Fryer are toast for sure. Duensing and Swarzak may be let go because of expense and resigned if they don't get better deals elsewhere. Bermier amd Colabello are also gone. Nunez and Parmelee are on the bubble. Not sure about Kris Johnson. Pelfrey needs to be designated for assignment. Chris Herrmann is replaceable. Got 40-man add, forgot Wheeler. Unless the guys are 6-year free agents, most of the above list is safe to not add *except your bolded four and Gilmartin.)

 

Good catch on Wheeler. 

 

Team option on Burton @ $3.6 M.. Can't believe the Twins would do anything but buy it out, but wouldn't put it past them to then try to re-sign along with Duensing and Swarzak.

 

We'll have to agree to disagree on Fryer, if Butera could survive for years on end, Fryer wil, as well, he isn't even eligible for arb until 2017 (same with Pino, if healthy, could potentially fill Swarzak role at a big discount),

 

No call-up for K Johnson seems ominous.

 

Seems likely that Pelfrey will be given every chance to come back.

 

 

 

.

[Thrylos]

It think that he is too generous with his list.  I'd add Tonkin, Fien and Thielbar to that list, with Nolasco having one foot on the door as well...

[Shane Wahl]

It think that he is too generous with his list.  I'd add Tonkin, Fien and Thielbar to that list, with Nolasco having one foot on the door as well...

 

You are truly always someone I can count on to me more negative then me!

[Seth Stohs]

Jeremy and I discussed our thoughts on the list on Tuesday night's Twins Hangouts podcast. It was the first topic, so check it out if you have about 1/2 hour. 

 

I think it's fair to say that the list of 19 doesn't include any current or future stars, but there are some usable players on that list, a couple who could fill some roles. It all depends on how many absolutely need to be added and there are between 5-7 of those. 

[DaveW]

It think that he is too generous with his list. I'd add Tonkin, Fien and Thielbar to that list, with Nolasco having one foot on the door as well...

 

Nolasco has earned a shot next year for sure, he actually has looked solid this last month.

[jokin]

Burton is a free agent. Pino and Fryer are toast for sure. Duensing and Swarzak may be let go because of expense and resigned if they don't get better deals elsewhere. Bermier amd Colabello are also gone. Nunez and Parmelee are on the bubble. Not sure about Kris Johnson. Pelfrey needs to be designated for assignment. Chris Herrmann is replaceable. Got 40-man add, forgot Wheeler. Unless the guys are 6-year free agents, most of the above list is safe to not add *except your bolded four and Gilmartin.)

 

. It all depends on how many absolutely need to be added and there are between 5-7 of those. 

 

Guerra and Salcedo are the 6-year FAs.  I gotta think with the really nice bounce-back year that Salcedo had, he gets a spot, and the Twins have a lot invested in Guerra.  I would say that with some major league attrition via non-tender, that number could justifiably be higher than 5-7, and might be as many as 8. That would make 6 of the 8 potential spots accounted for, and they would appear to still be short a lefty or two, especially if T-Bar is bye-bye- which opens the way for Gilmartin, Wheeler and an outside shot for O'Rourke, maybe?

[jokin]

It think that he is too generous with his list.  I'd add Tonkin, Fien and Thielbar to that list, with Nolasco having one foot on the door as well...

 

Nolasco has earned a shot next year for sure, he actually has looked solid this last month.

 

Yep. Unless somebody calls up with a crazy-intriguing bad contract swap, Nolasco isn't going anywhere

[DaveW]

Yep. Unless somebody calls up with a crazy-intriguing bad contract swap, Nolasco isn't going anywhere

Matt Kemp + cash for Nolasco!!!!!!!

[goulik]

My predictions

Adam, Gilmartin, Meyer, Rosario, Sano, will be added t the 40 man and protected.

Goodrum, Michael, Salcedo, Shibuya, Tomshaw, T Jones, Mejia Will not need protection as they are not MLB ready enough to be drafted and stashed for a season

Guerra, C Johnson, Lee The Twins will be willing to risk

To make room,

Burton and Swarzak are gone from the bullpen but Duensing remains a Twin in 2015.

Pino is off the 40 man which makes him a FA. He's resigned on minor league contract and back to Rochester next spring. Pelfrey is on DL until after rule V.

Colabello and Bernier will also be off the 40 man leaving room for a FA signing and our own rule V draftee.

[Thrylos]

Matt Kemp + cash for Nolasco!!!!!!!

 

I'd take that without the cash and throw in every LHSP in the Twins' organization above high A as well...

[Kelly Vance]

The Dunslinger will say. They will make him an offer and avoid arbitration. Same with Shafe. Pelfrey will get a shot to redeem himself, as will Rickey. I'd like Olivares to get a real shot to make the big club. Pressley is an even bet to make it.   I think Burton has an edge just because they used him as the closer when Perk was shelved.  Not saying I agree with that.

 

So Fryer is a low hitting catcher. That puts him with about 80 percent of catchers, not to mention backups. He stays.    I'd be patient with Pryor. His velocity could save him.

 

Parmalee looks like a guy who will be playing slow pitch softball next year.

[Rosterman]

There is NO reason to keep Fryer on the 40-man. At worst, you resign him as a minor league free agent. I don't see anyone lining up to grab him. He will continue to find work, probably, on the AAA level shades of Corky Miller, Eli Whiteside. But he is no Henry Blanco! And, I have no explanation for Drew Butera who played how many games/at bats for the Dodgers and we actually saw his batting average ... somehow increase to .182!

[DuluthFan]

Fryar has no options left. If he is to be left on the 40 man roster, he will need to be on the 25 man roster as well. If Pinto is going to be given the back up catcher position, it would would mean the 3rd catcher needs to have options remaining so he could be sent to AAA.

 

As far as leaving players on the DL during the rule 5 draft, I believe all teams must remove players from the DL in the offseason before the rule 5 draft.