Roster: July 1, 2015

[markominne]

Now that the season-opening roster has been set, and no one on the internet seems satisfied, let's play GM: What do you think the Twins roster should look like on July 17 when they open the last half of the season in Oakland? Include your rationale, and let's be reasonable (letting Joe Mauer go on waivers probably isn't going to happen, OK?).

 

For a starting point, here's the season-opening roster:

 

Starters

    Phil Hughes
    Ervin Santana
    Ricky Nolasco
    Kyle Gibson
    Tommy Milone

Relievers

    Glen Perkins
    Casey Fien
    Brian Duensing
    Mike Pelfrey
    Blaine Boyer
    Tim Stauffer
    J.R, Graham

Infielders

    Joe Mauer
    Brian Dozier
    Danny Santana
    Trevor Plouffe
    Kurt Suzuki
    Eduardo Escobar
    Eduardo Nunez
    Chris Herrmann
    Kennys Vargas

Outfielders

    Oswaldo Arcia
    Jordan Schafer
    Torii Hunter
    Shane Robinson

 

And here's my take on what July 17 should look like, with changes highlighted:

 

Starters

    Phil Hughes
    Ervin Santana
    Trevor May  - Ricky Nolasco is owed money, but somebody will need a starter... I hope
    Kyle Gibson
    J.O. Berrios - Tommy Milone is as good as he's going to be, and Berrios may already be better

Relievers

    Glen Perkins
    Casey Fien
    Any one of 3/4 minor league lefties vs Brian Duensing - Duensing: good guy, weak reliever
    Michael Tonkin vs Mike Pelfrey - same argument as Berrios versus Milone
    Alex Meyer - Blaine Boyer has no history of success; Meyer needs to build some success in bullpen           

                         where he can rely on 2 strong pitches, and work from there.
    Nick Burdi - Tim Stauffer is a placeholder, and a weak one. Burdi is young but upside is terrific
    Jake Reed - J.R. Graham - This one's a flyer - no financial loss in letting Graham go back to the Braves, and I   

                         am hoping that Reed will be able to make the (admittedly huge) jump.

Infielders

    Joe Mauer
    Brian Dozier
    Danny Santana
    Miguel Sano vs Trevor Plouffe - maybe the longest shot here, but Plouffe could provide trade value, IF Sano

                         is ready
    Kurt Suzuki
    Eduardo Escobar
    Levi Michael vs Eduardo Nunez - OK, a surprise here: Better defense, flexibility & strong OBP
    Josmil Pinto vs Chris Herrmann - Hoping this would have happened already if Pinto hadn't been hurt
    Kennys Vargas

 

Outfielders

    Oswaldo Arcia
    Byron Buxton vs Jordan Schafer - Does this need any explanation?
    Eddie Rosario - Torii Hunter should have value to a playoff team; if not, time to hang 'em up
    Adam Brett Walker vs Shane Robinson - OK, this is a longer shot that Sano, but I like the possibilities, and

                         putting some pressure on Arcia

 

OK, that's turning over better than half the roster. What say you?

[Hrbowski]

Torii Hunter has a no trade contract that he will not waive and he won't retire mid-season, Adam Walker had horrid contact rates at single-A, Meyer would start before Berrios, and if Jake Reed made the jump he would likely be the 25th man, not Levi Michael.

[Danchat]

It's a bit early for Reed, Michael, and Walker. I'd love to see them up here, but it's just kinda unrealistic.

[SweetOne69]

I think it is a stretch to believe that they will turn over half the roster within 1/2 year.

 

Here is my take:

I agree that many of the relievers will be on a short leash (Boyer, Stauffer, Duensing and Graham).  If they don't perform early they may be released (or in Graham's case either sent back to Atlanta or traded and sent down).

 

Outfield: Only Rosario or Hicks will be up before September.  Buxton will probably be a 9/1 call up.

Infield:  The only change will be Pinto until September.

 

Starting Rotation:  In my mind, Hughes, Santana and Nolasco are untradeable due to the lengths of their contracts.  Gibson has the potential to be a top end starter if he gets some more consistency. So that leaves Milone as the only tradeable asset to make room for May.