What is your ideal and REALISTIC playoff roster?

[DaveW]

Mine is below:

 

1. Hicks CF

2. Mauer 1B

3. Sano DH

4. Dozier 2B

5. Plouffe 3B

6. Hunter RF

7. Rosario LF

8. Suzuki C

9. Santana SS

 

Bench

Arcia- LF/RF/PH (Depending on how things are going, I would consider platooning him and Hunter at RF)

Buxton- CF/Defensive Replacement/PH/PR

Escobar- Util INF

Pierzynski- C/PH

 

Rotation (note: Santana Suspended)

1. Gibson

2. Hughes

3. Milone

4. May

 

Bullpen:

Closer: Perkins

SU: Benoit

SU: Pelfrey

LOOGY: Rourke

MRP: Duensing

MRP:Pressly

MRP: Fien

MRP: Acter

 

Trades:

 

PTNL/Cash for AJ Pierzynski

Nunez+PTNBL for Benoit

 

I think this is a very realistic potential roster for the Twins, they don't give up any future assets and get some bullpen and catcher depth help. I would still prefer a guy like Papelbon, Clippard, KRod or Chapman, but the prices may be too high. Also I would look for a longer term "solution" for Catcher, but AJ could come cheap and would be  a nice option off the bench in games against RHP.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

I think the only unrealistic item on the list is having Santana as the Starting SS - to me, that's more optimistic than realistic right now - I might flip Santana and Escobar. 

 

If I thought the Twins could get away with just 11 pitchers, I'd also swap Achter for Kennys Vargas, but that's me being optimistic that Vargas can turn it around.

 

I don't know how likely the Twins are to swap for A.J. ... I just read that the Mariners made a trade for a catcher, but it's still just a rumor with no name. A.J. might already be on the move...

[DaveW]

 

I think the only unrealistic item on the list is having Santana as the Starting SS - to me, that's more optimistic than realistic right now - I might flip Santana and Escobar. 

 

If I thought the Twins could get away with just 11 pitchers, I'd also swap Achter for Kennys Vargas, but that's me being optimistic that Vargas can turn it around.

 

I don't know how likely the Twins are to swap for A.J. ... I just read that the Mariners made a trade for a catcher, but it's still just a rumor with no name. A.J. might already be on the move...

Molitor has shown a lot of faith in Santana and seems to like him, since the recall Santana has looked pretty decent IMO, I am guessing SS will just end up being "the hot hand" the rest of the season, which is fine.

 

I have a gut feeling the Mariners just traded for Navarro, they are "all in" this year already, so I would expect them to aim higher, though AJ would make sense as well as a guy who could do a 50/50 split with Zunino who they certainly aren't giving up on.'

 

Speaking of Zunino, he would be a guy I would target for the Twins if the M's were ever interested in moving him, still very young and full of talent, seems like a potential great "buy low" guy.

 

Arcia+more for Zunino swap in the off-season?

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Depending on what the "more" ends up being I think a trade for Zunino in the off-season could really help the Twins out at catcher. Waiting until the offseason on a long-term solution Catcher is wise - give Turner and Garver a chance to improve on their poor starts and re-evaluate the pipeline.  

 

I don't think the Twins have anyone that can step in and start over Suzuki in 2016 , but one of those two could figure things out for 2017. In the meantime, the Twins should be looking for a player that can step in sooner and have a good problem (too many catchers) instead of a bad problem.

 

 

 

[jimbo92107]

It's just too early for a "realistic" projection of a playoff lineup. What if Hicks loses his mojo? What if Sano starts scuffling? What if Buxton's thumb is slow to heal? What if this, that...

 

Dave's projected lineup assumes a lot, but it does look good. If all his assumptions come true, I could go with that, other than maybe Pressly. At this point, I think Graham is better in the pen. By September, I think Graham will be hands-down the best middle reliever, with May a solid second.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

oh, I didn't think of this before - Does Graham need to be on the Playoff Roster as a Rule V guy, or can he be sent to AAA once the season ends? I am guessing he has to stay on the roster unless there is an injury...

[Shane Wahl]

I am not sure about trades and how it would work out.

 

For the playoffs, though, 11 pitchers seems quite realistic, right? Assuming that, then I wouldn't mess around with Duensing, Achter, and maybe even Pressly.

 

Pelfrey

Rogers

Boyer

O'Rourke

Meyer

Fien/Benoit or equivalent

Perkins

 

There needs to be gas-throwers.

AJ would be a fine addition for the bench.

 

[Shane Wahl]

 

oh, I didn't think of this before - Does Graham need to be on the Playoff Roster as a Rule V guy, or can he be sent to AAA once the season ends? I am guessing he has to stay on the roster unless there is an injury...

 

Yikes. I thought no, but maybe I am wrong.

[Rosterman]

You have to set playoff rosters before the season ends and the only way yu swap out players is because of injury.

 

The Twins can go with an 11 man pitching staff. You really don't need five starters.

 

Even if the Twins traded for A.J., for example, he would only be a one season rental. And we still have Suzuki on contract for next season. So, what deadweight do we have on the roster next season that we can't get rid of (Noalsco for one).

 

Right now, I would go with Escobar as the everyday shortstop. If we can move Nunez, I would bring up Beresford as a utility infielder. I would still send Santana out.

 

The September callup sheet should be interesting, whether we are in contention or not. Pretty much ANYONE on the 40-man should get playing time. Achter, Tonkin, Darnell, Pinto, Vargas, Arcia, Santana, Polanco, Kepler. If a guy doesn't get an opportunity to show his worth this year, then you have to question why they are on the 40-man (Wheeler for example). Yes, I contradicted myself. I would give Beresford the 40-man shot because of his time in the organization (and he is having a great year) as a TYwins organization reward. But longterm, no, he won't be contributing, sadly, in 2016.

[Brock Beauchamp]

My understanding is that you don't have to set a playoff roster in September but you can only use players who were on the 40 man in September.

[DaveW]

My understanding is that you don't have to set a playoff roster in September but you can only use players who were on the 40 man in September.

You can actually change the playoff roster between rounds.

[Shane Wahl]

I  think all guys on the 25-man on August 31 are eligible, not the 40-man. Injuries and whatnot can affect that later.

[Shane Wahl]

In other words, Graham either will be on the playoff roster or will "get an injury" at playoff time.

[ashbury]

oh, I didn't think of this before - Does Graham need to be on the Playoff Roster as a Rule V guy, or can he be sent to AAA once the season ends? I am guessing he has to stay on the roster unless there is an injury...

My understanding could be incorrect: Graham has to be on the 25-man active roster the whole season (else the Braves get him back if they want), but the playoff roster is not the same as the 25-man.

 

Hopefully JR pitches so well that this distinction (if correct) becomes moot.

[DocBauer]

Really like the roster as stated. Hands down.

 

Couple caveats.

 

Forget the whole rule V ramifications, I think I'd take Graham over Achter anyway. He has been a huge surprise for me, and not sure the second half he doesn't increase his value.

 

Too bad Santana can't pitch in the post season. I'm big on punishing away steroids or cover drugs or whatever. But I still don't get the whole idea of being punished by missing half a season and then being allowed to play before being punished again. I just don't see the logic. But then again, in the case of the Twins and this season, there is definitely a sense of dancing with the one you brung to the dance. I'm not so sure one and out or win one and then 3 and BBQ, that Santana makes a real difference over "found my mojo" Hughes, "remember how good I was supposed to be? Look at me now" Gibson, "how good could I be with a few less walks" May's, and "I don't sparkle, but I have fewer rough edges and more consistent gleam" than my clone predacessor Scott Diamond Milone.

 

Not sure we'd have to surrender Nunez for Benoit. Which I personally would like. Think a bag of balls, a few batting practice bats, some Bubble Yum might be enough for him, or similar, in a cost move.

[Shane Wahl]

I would take Graham over Achter

 

Anyway, yes the playoff roster is different . . . but Graham has to be on the 25-man roster on August 31st and thus would be one of the 25 guys eligible (plus already DLed guys, other various lists, etc.). However, this would likely mean 12 pitchers, which is one too many for the playoffs, in my view. So some kind of injury to one of these pitchers will happen at the end of the season, right?

 

Suzuki, Mauer, Dozier, Polanco, Plouffe, Sano, Rosario, Buxton, Hicks, Hunter, Arcia, Escobar, Pinto/AJ, and Nunez or Santana would be my 14.

[Lonestar]

I really like the additions of Benoit and Pierzynski. And the starting lineup lists to the right, so Arcia should start against all RHP's.

 

I agree that May is one of the top 4 starters and should be starting. I am surprised there has not been more mention of adding a front-line starter [to go with Gibson]. 

 

I don't think Danny Santana should be on the 25-man roster, let alone starting.

 

I don't see the Twins giving up Nunez. Until after they sign him to an extension. [Reading between the lines: I don't think Nunez will keep this up as the sample size expands.]

 

I don't know why so many think Pelfrey should be a set up man.  He doesn't have the repertoire, the command, or the ability to miss bats.

 

I don't think Duensing, Pressly, or Achter  have any place on a championship roster.  Tonkin, Oliveros, Duffey, Graham, and/or Rogers might fit. Give Tonkin the reps the team has been giving Boyer.

 

So - replace Duensing with Rogers.  Get a proven set up man to replace Pelfrey.  Add 1 of Tonkin, Oliveros, Duffey or Graham to replace Pressley and Achter, freeing up a spot on the bench for Vargas.