Ideal Playoff Roster

[DaveW]

I say bunk on the "don't start a rookie" thing. I just don't buy that Berrios couldn't handle it for sure, that is an awfully factual sounding statement for an opinion.....

You start the best player available. If it's Berrios(or anyone really) you just have a super short leash. If he can't "handle" it and walks the first three guys, pull him and put in whoever.

[DaveW]

Could u imagine the meltdown if the Twins tossed out pelf for a do or die game?

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

I say bunk on the "don't start a rookie" thing. I just don't buy that Berrios couldn't handle it for sure, that is an awfully factual sounding statement for an opinion.....

It's possible Berrios could handle it.

 

It's also possible he could melt down on the mound and give the Twins zero chance of winning the game.

 

In a one-game playoff, I'd be as concerned about who won't give the game away as I would be who'd pitch the best game.

[Eris]

 

Could u imagine the meltdown if the Twins tossed out pelf for a do or die game?

Similar decisions have happened before.  Les Straker in game 6 of the 1987 WS is an example.  Sometimes teams are in a situation where all they can do is pray and hope for the best.

[howieramone2]

I would start Tyler Jay and bring in Nick Gordon to play SS. Our favorite team needs to start thinking outside the box.

[Shaitan]

It's been stated very clearly by the Twins that Pinto won't catch in 2015, right? No reason to keep suggesting that. 

[Loosey]

 

I'd call up Berrios (put him in the bullpen or rotation NOW), and do a bullpen game, with Berrios, Peflrey, and maybe Milone told they will get 2-3 innings max, and have them THROW.

 

The one game playoff is built to be a bullpen game. You get time off before the next game, and you don't need all your starters/pen in the playoffs to come anyway.

 

If they had a better bullpen, I'd go straight bullpen game, frankly.......

 

The only change I'd make from this roster is to call up Berrios, and not sure who I'd send down.....

That would be a great idea, In my opinion and makes sense.   Start the game with Pelfrey for 2 innings (he lately seems like a 4 IP max guy and doesn't usually get hit until then lately), Then give Berrios his shot in inning 3-4 .  Then Milone in 5-6.  Then Jepsen, May, Perkins. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I wonder if someone got hurt now....would they wait until after Sept 1 or later to put them on the DL to figure out who to add, based on playoff needs?

Doesn't matter when the player goes on the DL, he can be replaced by anyone else on the 40-man come October.  Basically, in October, anybody who is still on the DL gives you a "flex spot" to drop someone from your Sep. 1st 25-man and replace them with anyone on the 40-man (as of Sep. 1).

 

So Nolasco will give us one such flex spot.  Perhaps Boyer if he doesn't come back.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Doesn't matter when the player goes on the DL, he can be replaced by anyone else on the 40-man come October.  Basically, in October, anybody who is still on the DL gives you a "flex spot" to drop someone from your Sep. 1st 25-man and replace them with anyone on the 40-man (as of Sep. 1).

 

So Nolasco will give us one such flex spot.  Perhaps Boyer if he doesn't come back.

 

Really? Huh......

[Brock Beauchamp]

Really? Huh......

Yep, pretty sure spy cake is right. The only part I wasn't 100% sure about was the guys on the 60 day.

[Otto von Ballpark]

I think the guy you are replacing has to be on the DL as of Sep. 1, or on the 25 man roster on that date then on the DL as of October. So you could get some more flexibility by being more aggressive with your DL assignments just prior to Sep. 1. (Example, if we DL'ed Robinson before Sep. 1, come October we would have the option of either re-activating him or picking any other guy from the 40-man like Kepler, Arcia, etc.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Also, since you are able to load up on relievers for your wild card game roster, I think that means getting a guy like Berrios on your 40-man as of Sep. 1 is more important now than pre-2012.

 

If your starter gets knocked out early in that game, or it goes extras, do you want to be stuck relying on your normal guys to go multiple innings, or do you want the possibility of another good arm like Berrios available like Finnegan was last year?

 

Also, being on the 40-man on Sep.1 would make Berrios eligible to replace any injured pitchers during the playoffs too, even if you didn't think there was a spot for him on your original playoff roster. Otherwise you might have to call on the likes of Tonkin, Achter, Thompson... (actually Meyer would be an interesting option too)

[DaveW]

Similar decisions have happened before. Les Straker in game 6 of the 1987 WS is an example. Sometimes teams are in a situation where all they can do is pray and hope for the best.

I mean if they had Berrios in the pen (available) and they ran out Pelf instead. Obviously sometimes things happen (duensing starting game 1 in Yankee stadium a few years ago etc) where you are out of ideal options.

[DaveW]

Santana being suspended (and thus removed from the 25 man) automatically opens up a spot to anyone on the 40 man I believe.

 

I would still have Berrios up prior to sept 1st but that's just me

[Otto von Ballpark]

Santana being suspended (and thus removed from the 25 man) automatically opens up a spot to anyone on the 40 man I believe.

 

I would still have Berrios up prior to sept 1st but that's just me

Yes, so between that and Nolasco, those are two flex spots to find useful players this September. I'd like to see Berrios considered.

[DaveW]

Side note: I actually hope I don't jinx everything like I did the last time I started a playoff thread :-/

[DaveW]

Yes, so between that and Nolasco, those are two flex spots to find useful players this September. I'd like to see Berrios considered.

And that doesn't even include an "injury" they could find.

 

I think Pinto is the obvious option to replace Hermann. If you PH for Kurt in the 6th/7th you at least have a nice hitter that replaces him defensively should his spot come back up.