Next Roster Moves?

[Shane Wahl]

The rest of the season should be about figuring out the 11 best pitchers to bring into the playoffs and the 14 best position players to bring too. This in no way hurts 2016, in fact, I think the push for the best 25 (11/14) for the playoffs overlaps significantly with developing for 2016.

 

In no way does Shane Robinson fit. In no way does Brian Duensing fit. Unfortunately, Aaron Thompson doesn't fit either and that leaves a lefty void. Thielbar is likely not going to fill that. Neither is Ryan O'Rourke (door was WIDE open for him this year . . . ). I have to think a shift to the AAA bullpen for Taylor Rogers would be good for a few weeks and then promote him. Maybe see if Jason Wheeler can be a better pitcher out of the bullpen too.

 

With Buxton out for now, Shane Robinson being of no present or future use, and Arcia and Hicks back healthy, the answer seems pretty obvious. Polanco for Santana is also obvious. Kepler can get a chance by August perhaps.

 

Maybe the roster ends up:

Suzuki, Pinto/Herrmann, Mauer, Dozier, Polanco, Plouffe, Sano, Nunez, Rosario, Buxton, Hicks, Arcia, Escobar, Vargas

 

Hughes, Santana, Gibson, May, Pelfrey, Meyer, Milone, Rogers, Jones, Berrios, Perkins

 

I know that is quite a pitching staff shakeup, and Pelfrey and Milone should be traded off too (with Fien .. . . ).

[Shane Wahl]

And yes, I am pro trading Torii Hunter. Don't hate me for that. If you don't like that then remove Nunez from the above list.

[drivlikejehu]

May is young, cheap, and has an xFIP of 3.79. It is sheer insanity to suggest anything other than keeping him in the Twins rotation.

[SwainZag]

 

And yes, I am pro trading Torii Hunter. Don't hate me for that. If you don't like that then remove Nunez from the above list.

 

I just feel the reality of trading of trading Hunter is slim to none.

[Platoon]

I just feel the reality of trading of trading Hunter is slim to none.

Sadly I agree. Sadlier is that he will be back next year. .

[Linus]

 

Sadly I agree. Sadlier is that he will be back next year. .

Well, unless some of these vaunted prospects start stepping up, we will need a corner outfielder next year.

[HitInAPinch]

 

The flaw here is that we are in July. Unless the Twins other five starters all stay healthy and effective, May will be back in the rotation at some point. He should be a good option for 2016 and beyond. I am in the camp that believes the Twins should try to contend this year until it is certain they can't. All moves should made this year should be earmarked to help the team this year without hurting the club from 2016 and beyond.

Well, July or not, I believe we're on the same page. When I wrote if the Twins can't use him I meant Twins management, not me.  I am NOT giving up on May as a starter.  That one was a comment by SwainZag.  IF the Twins choose to not have him as a MLB starter, I'd prefer he be sent to the minors to stay stretched out and called up when needed.

 

I just don't believe the Twins will be in the playoffs this year.  This next week against Baltimore and Detroit could determine that.  If Arcia is called up and hits 20 HR's between now and the end of the year, absolutely they could. 

 

 

[Andrew]

I don't see how you can give up on May after what he has done in basically his rookie year this year. To me he looks like he has a really bright future and should definitely be part of the Twins future plans. Trading him, especially for OF parts when we have Rosario, Hicks, Buxton, Kepler, etc seems counter productive.

Agreed, if you're going to trade May you trade for a C or a very good RP

[Zachary]

 

I just don't see the team releasing Duensing as much as it probably should happen.  They like him too much on a personal level I feel.  That being said if I was making $2 mil I wouldn't be sad if someone told me to take the rest of my salary for the year but don't come back to work.

 

There's definitely people out there (and I'm sure some in the MLB) that would be very open to an offer like that...  

: D

[old nurse]

 

There's definitely people out there (and I'm sure some in the MLB) that would be very open to an offer like that...  

: D

A 30 something year old player released and not signed after clearing usually means your career is over. I do not think any player wants to end their career.

[Platoon]

Well, unless some of these vaunted prospects start stepping up, we will need a corner outfielder next year.

First of all, our "vaunted prospects" are ever going to get MLB ready in Rochester. They already mastered Rochester, or they would not have been called up. (Arcia, Vargas, Hicks, Santana). Also, if we need a 41 yr old RF to play regularly, we are not going to be truly a contender. Maybe an entertaining pretender, but that's it. If you are not going the Yankees and Red Sox route to win, you need home grown players. And that takes patience. And I am not talking one season either.

[spinowner]

 

Agreed, if you're going to trade May you trade for a C or a very good RP

Why would the Twins trade May? That would only happen if another team is willing to highly overpay. If he's the odd man out he'll be optioned to AAA and be available if and when the major league staff needs him.

[stringer bell]

 

First of all, our "vaunted prospects" are ever going to get MLB ready in Rochester. They already mastered Rochester, or they would not have been called up. (Arcia, Vargas, Hicks, Santana). Also, if we need a 41 yr old RF to play regularly, we are not going to be truly a contender. Maybe an entertaining pretender, but that's it. If you are not going the Yankees and Red Sox route to win, you need home grown players. And that takes patience. And I am not talking one season either.

First call ups for Vargas and Hicks were directly from AA. Santana played about a month and Arcia dominated, but for only 38 games. Santana and Vargas have both been optioned to AAA this year for brief periods and Hicks dominated early this year.

[nicksaviking]

 

Well, unless some of these vaunted prospects start stepping up, we will need a corner outfielder next year.

 

Since when do prospects have to be well rounded players when they are called up?  That rarely happens, we're getting impatient here. These guys need regular MLB at bats, not three games here, two games here then a demotion.  This club has plenty of corner possibilities, and even though these guys all probably need 500 consistant at bats at a time to figure out if they have a shot, not all of them likely get that.  Now were talking about not doing that for any of them?

[Thegrin]

I only want Santana, Hughes, Pelfrey, Gibson, May, Milone and Nolasco to all be starters and I want a 5 man rotation.  I am glad I don't have to figure out how to do that.   

 

oh yeah.  I want Arcia called up and playing/batting every day.  

[DJL44]

 

It is very difficult to have your name (TR) on a 2 mil contract, and then cut the guy.

 

I disagree completely. A $2M contract in the context of MLB is a small bet. If you can't admit that you lose a few small bets then you don't have what it takes to be a MLB GM. A GM should lose a few small bets every year because sometimes they pay off huge. A GM should be more embarrassed by keeping a bad player on the MLB roster while it costs his team wins.

[Linus]

The Twins are 5 games over on July 3rd.  Every move they make right now needs to be done with the idea of winning and making the playoffs.  For me, this means an outfield of Hicks, Hunter and Rosario.  Esco at short (Santana goes to Rochester) and May to the pen for short term.  The DH should be the hottest of Sano, Arcia or Vargas with the two not selected in Rochester.  I would also swap Hermann and Fryer to see if Fryer has a better chance of getting a hit now and then.  Thompson down, Rogers up.

 

If they slip out of contention, then you go full 2016 mode, essentially playing everybody you feel will need to be on the club in order to succeed in 2016.  This would also include trading Pelfrey, even if it is after the waiver deadline.

[jorgenswest]

Hicks seems a better choice than Santana. It really depends on Hicks' arm. Is it fully healthy?

 

Trading Pelfrey now only makes sense if the Twins are confident in Berrios or whoever they would bring up if one of the other 5 is injured. Nolasco appears a long way off.

 

They must have no faith in their left handed duo in the pen. Numerous opportunities for them to pitch in close games have come up and been avoided. Worked out yesterday with Gibson. Didn't work out with Pelfrey against the White Sox. One of those two should go down when Ervin returns. Milone isn't a good fit for that role either so the Twins will have to go without. We can look at AAA numbers and say that Rogers would be good but that is a big jump into a role that he has never been used.

 

Hicks for Santana when healthy

Keep Pelfrey for a while

Remove a lefty to make space for Ervin

[stringer bell]

Mostly agree with the above two posts. Hicks is the best of poor alternatives in center field. The unfortunate reality is that one of the starters goes to the 'pen--my vote goes for May, with the understanding that if the season goes astray, May returns and somebody (probably Pelfrey) is either traded or switched out for May. Both lefties are questionable, Thompson has options and should go down now. If the Twins stay in the race, they need to have a lefty they trust, I'd start converting Rogers right away at Rochester, with an eye on promoting him within a month.

 

I want to see Escobar at short until someone shows this year that they are better than he is. Continue spotting Nuñez, because he has hit well and almost no one else has. Depending on Hicks' performance, Buxton can either come back immediately, rehab and return or be optioned to Rochester. Sano is my DH until the trading deadline and probably for the rest of the season.

[NoCryingInBaseball]

This forum is timely with the Santana roster move necessary by Sunday and now the reports that Hicks is on his way to Kansas City, probably to take over CF again, the roster moves will be continuing. Here are my thoughts that might (or should) be taking place in a relatively short time period.

 

Starting Rotation

• Santana, Hughes & Gibson are locks and of Milone/May/Pelfrey, two stay and one goes to the pen.

• Try to get a trade for one of the “extra” arms (not May….. Milone or Pelfrey).

Bullpen

• Duensing should be DFA’d, but there’s probably too much money in contract and pride to do the right thing.

• My guess is Meyer, Thompson or Ryan Pressley (probably more than one) goes down and there are certainly options to bring up young performers.

• Pitching corps down to 12 now that there is only a 2-game series with a National League team remaining.

 

Outfield

• Hicks returns from Triple-A tonight after getting 3-hits two nights in a row.

• Let Arcia being good in Triple-A, then return to the club….maybe when pitching corps returns to 12.

Shortstop

• I like Danny Santana (and he went 2 for 4 last night), but think he needs to go down…maybe like suggested earlier to AA. Let Escobar (who is a much better SS) and Nunez platoon at short, and maybe Polanco gets his shot at Triple-A.

[birddog]

I agree with most of the posts, except trading May. I would like to see Santana in CF for at least one more week as he seems to be a much better hitter when playing there. We all know that Buxton is the future at that position, but if Santana hits well until Buxton comes back, he would have good trade value if TR thinks Polanco is a better fit at SS. I think we all agree that TR has tough decisions to make and pray he makes the right ones.

[stringer bell]

The two games against an NL club are in Minnesota. No need to make any adjustments there. I haven't found anything about Hicks returning, but I believe it is past time.

[stringer bell]

A couple other thoughts (I'll be going silent soon): 1) Guthrie and our own Ricky Nolasco belong to the same club--winning record +5 ERA, not many starters in that club. 2) Curious to see what the usage will be for Escobar going forward. 3) Looking at proposals for the Twins position players, almost all of the power is RH. Who is the top LH hitter for power? Mauer? Rosario? C'mon Oswaldo, get your act together, the club can use some LH sock.

[NoCryingInBaseball]

The Hicks thing was announced on Twitter this morning by Darren Wolfson, but he hasn’t had much follow-up because he’s hosting the 1500ESPN Mackey & Judd show right now.

 

Darren Wolfson‏@DWolfsonKSTP

Sounds like Aaron Hicks is on his way to Kansas City. Not sure yet what the corresponding move is. #mntwins

[stringer bell]

Also could be Robinson to the DL, if he can't swing a bat.

[dbminn]

For fun and discussion:

 

Twins trade some combination of Plouffe/Pelfrey/Polanco to get Austin Hedges from San Diego (could be others included from both sides).

 

Twins make the trade because:

1. They need a young catcher to grow with the other prospects.
2. Plouffe is blocking Sano from 3B and taking a roster spot from Arcia or Buxton. (I really like Plouffe but he is probably our most valuable non-prospect trading chip)
3. They have reservations about Polanco playing SS. Dozier is blocking 2B.

Padres make the trade because:

1. They are still trying to win this year.
2. The back end of their rotation is awful.
3. They are getting zero production at 3B and 2B.

Any takers? Is Plouffe too important to this year's possible wild-card team to better the team next year?

 

 

[SwainZag]

 

The Hicks thing was announced on Twitter this morning by Darren Wolfson, but he hasn’t had much follow-up because he’s hosting the 1500ESPN Mackey & Judd show right now.

Darren Wolfson‏@DWolfsonKSTP
Sounds like Aaron Hicks is on his way to Kansas City. Not sure yet what the corresponding move is. #mntwins

 

 

 

Rhett Bollinger ‏@RhettBollinger  3m3 minutes ago
The Twins placed Shane Robinson on the family emergency list and activated Aaron Hicks from the DL.

 

And there we have it.

[Jham]

I really like the idea of Santana as a super utility player.  I think he's probably a better outfielder than Escobar, and gives us a pinch runner in late game situations.  I think it was inevitable that his BABIP would drop, but I can't believe how his power has disappeared.  Normally that jumps up. I still trust him more than Hicks. 

May seems to be getting by being effectively wild.  I don't know if that's sustainable.  It took Garza several years and a trade.  He's going to have to start hitting some spots or getting the ball down or the league will catch up quickly.  I'm fine with rotation or pen for May.  He's far from a finished product.

 

We should not be looking to get younger just for the sake of getting younger.  Prospect development and experimenting needs to happen in the minor leagues.  You owe it to your fans.  If you can't trust your scouts to tell you when a player is ready, then you need new scouts.  Hunter is one of our best players this year.  His age is irrelevant.  If none of our prospects are better than a declining Torii Hunter, then I don't want to see them out there.  In fact, we should have probably deal some of those prospects while they still have value instead of proving their limitations to trade partners.

Duensing is our only lefty right now.  Thompson has been an absolute train wreck for two months.  Meanwhile Duensing has quietly been solid for a month.  

 

I'm not sure we can trade for significant upgrades in CF, SS, or Catcher.  At least not with a better chance of success than hoping for rebounds from our current guys.  I think the roster, with the exception of Thompson needs to stay where it's at, with Pelfrey or May going to the pen.

[NoCryingInBaseball]

Just broke that it is Robinson....used "Family Emergency List" as how he is pulled from active roster.

 

Rhett Bollinger ‏@RhettBollinger

The Twins placed Shane Robinson on the family emergency list and activated Aaron Hicks from the DL.

[stringer bell]

Two starts ago IIRC, Pelfrey was locked in a low-scoring game with the White Sox. He lost the game in the seventh when he should have been removed, but the Twins stuck with him (in part because the bullpen alternatives were horrible). It still qualified as a quality start and really was better than that. Fryer is slipping pretty badly at Rochester, he's nearly 30 and never profiled as a hitter. His "D" is fine, but he's not on the 40-man roster. It would be a 40-man disruption to change irrelevant pieces IMHO. Also, FWIW, Herrmann is an acceptable outfielder. Apparently Molitor doesn't think much of that since, the Twins have started EE in left 26 times.