Article: Twins Add Seven To Their 40 Man Roster, Lose Achter, Pinto

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Don't waivers first go thru the same league, ie, the AL?  Then move on to the National League? 

Only for trade assignment waivers ("from July 31st and extending through to the conclusion of the MLB regular season"):

 

http://www.thecubreporter.com/book/export/html/3525

 

League can be used to break a tie in record for other waiver claims, so Detroit could have won a claim for Pinto over San Diego (both teams had 74-88 records last year).  So technically I should have said San Diego was #9 in waiver priority for Pinto.

[Danchat]

I'm a bit sad to see Achter and Pinto go, but I guess it had to happen. I hope they'll find success with their new homes.

 

I think Rosario and Landa are a bit odd picks. But hey, I'm no GM.

 

I kinda like the Pat Dean add, but I would have liked to see him get a spot start or two during that "let's have Trevor May throw a 3 inning start" fiasco.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

So what's the financial upside for these 7 guys added? Guaranteed any coin?

They get a higher salary in the minor leagues now that they are on the 40-man roster.

[Seth Stohs]

 

So what's the financial upside for these 7 guys added? Guaranteed any coin?

 

Tweeted this a bit ago... these are just estimates, but should still be close:

 

 

 

Estimates:
Non-40: High-A: $1500/mth AA: 1700/mth -
1st year on 40: $7000/month. 2nd year on 40: $14000/mth

 

[drjim]

 

It is so much more difficult to stash a position player on a major league roster than a pitcher. I doubt Michael is far enough to stick on a MLB roster for an entire year. He likely gets taken but the Twins have a great shot at getting him back if they want to. If Michael does perform I think you tip your cap because he beat the odds.

 

This is a point that is often overlooked. Very easy to hide a pitcher, very tough to hide a position player with 4 player benches.

 

And usually everyday guys that are kept bring at least one plus tool to the table (usually speed or d), not sure Michael really has this. Fine guy for org depth and may ultimately get some run as a utility guy, but a team would really have to punt that position to keep him all year.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I kinda like the Pat Dean add, but I would have liked to see him get a spot start or two during that "let's have Trevor May throw a 3 inning start" fiasco.

Yeah, the May spot start is even more indefensible knowing Rogers and Dean were destined for 40-man protection anyway.

[Seth Stohs]

 

It is so much more difficult to stash a position player on a major league roster than a pitcher. I doubt Michael is far enough to stick on a MLB roster for an entire year. He likely gets taken but the Twins have a great shot at getting him back if they want to. If Michael does perform I think you tip your cap because he beat the odds.

 

He's far enough... the question with him may be, if he's a utility infielder, can he play SS or 3B? He did in college, but as a pro, he's been mainly at 2B. 

[jsteve96]

Levi Michael will put up better MLB stats next year than Buxton, it sounds dumb now but Ima be bold bc I'm mad were losing him

[Seth Stohs]

 

I hope nobody picks Jorge. 

 

What are the rules for the AAA and AA rule 5?

 

someone can find the specifics online somewhere, but basically players that are eligible for the MLB Rule 5 this year had to be protected on the AAA roster last year, and on the AA roster the year before. I think those rosters are 38. The main difference is that players selected in the minor league Rule 5 draft don't have to be offered back, and they don't have to play at any certain level. Guys like Goodrum, Wimmers, Harrison, Bard, etc. will almost certainly be on the AAA roster/reserve.

[sane]

Can the Twins add one (or two?) more names to the roster later tonight?

 

My vote would be Luke Bard, Felix Jorge or Zach Jones.

 

I am very pleased that Mason Melotakis was protected.

 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Estimates:
Non-40: High-A: $1500/mth AA: 1700/mth -
1st year on 40: $7000/month. 2nd year on 40: $14000/mth

Put in yearly terms (as reported last winter):

 

$41,400 for players on their first major league contract (first-time 40-man additions, the guys added today)

 

$82,700 for players on subsequent deals (today's additions if they stick on the 40-man roster into 2017)

 

http://www.truebluela.com/2014/11/20/7178067/mlb-minimum-salary-2015

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Can the Twins add one (or two?) more names to the roster later tonight?

In theory, yes, although I suspect they were just trying to sneak Achter or Pinto through in advance of signing Park or making their own Rule 5 pick.

 

Despite the two open spots, they're not protecting more guys today.

[Dman]

I think the only player left I am worried about is Zach Jones.  I am pretty certain he will get picked in the rule 5.  There were just too many guys to protect so they had to lose some guys I guess.

 

Achter is a bummer loss as i really like him but his upside seems lower than other relievers we have in the system.  So losing him is probably best for everybody concerned.  Same for Pinto if he isn't going to catch.

 

Michael is nice but there are four guys ahead of him and three guys with greater potential behind him.  He is lost in this system as well.  I hope someone picks him up but I doubt anyone will.

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Levi Michael will put up better MLB stats next year than Buxton, it sounds dumb now but Ima be bold bc I'm mad were losing him

 

plus, I'm betting no one looks back on this next October to check... Ha!

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

This is a point that is often overlooked. Very easy to hide a pitcher, very tough to hide a position player with 4 player benches.

 

And usually everyday guys that are kept bring at least one plus tool to the table (usually speed or d), not sure Michael really has this. Fine guy for org depth and may ultimately get some run as a utility guy, but a team would really have to punt that position to keep him all year.

Michael is usually good for an injury or two, so that means some DL time.

 

5 position players stuck last year from Rule 5, versus only 4 pitchers (pending Winkler seeing 60 active days in 2016).

 

Of course, they were generally better than Michael.  Taylor Featherston was pretty bad for the Angels, that would probably be Michael in 2016 if he was selected.

[DaveW]

Losing Pinto is a  mistake. I will never understand how this team views catching defense, yes, Pinto wasn't great, but Suzuki last year was atrocious and can't throw anyone out to save his life.

Edited November 20, 2015 by DaveW

[sane]

 

Levi Michael will put up better MLB stats next year than Buxton, it sounds dumb now but Ima be bold bc I'm mad were losing him

You would be bold if you bet on that.

I can help you there.

[maxisagod]

 

Losing Pinto is a  mistake. I will never understand how this team views catching defense, yes, Pinto wasn't great, but Suzuki last year was atrocious and can't throw anyone out to save his life.

I like Pinto a lot too, but is he still a catcher? Hasn't done so in a while after the all the head injuries. If the Twins think of him as more a DH, isn't he already blocked 3 times over? 

[sane]

 

Losing Pinto is a  mistake. I will never understand how this team views catching defense, yes, Pinto wasn't great, but Suzuki last year was atrocious and can't throw anyone out to save his life.

The doctors can stop Pinto from catching.

Not so with Suzuki, Murphy, Garver, Turner and Naveretto (yet)

[DaveW]

 

I like Pinto a lot too, but is he still a catcher? Hasn't done so in a while after the all the head injuries. If the Twins think of him as more a DH, isn't he already blocked 3 times over? 

The fact that San Diego picked him up makes me think they view him as a catcher, though I suppose they could try him at 1B or something? Who knows.

 

If its true that he won't/can't catch again, I don't mind it then.

[drjim]

 

Michael is usually good for an injury or two, so that means some DL time.

 

5 position players stuck last year from Rule 5, versus only 4 pitchers (pending Winkler seeing 60 active days in 2016).

 

Of course, they were generally better than Michael.  Taylor Featherston was pretty bad for the Angels, that would probably be Michael in 2016 if he was selected.

 

Total numbers of pitchers vs. position players probably prove the point though. Teams are much more aggressive protecting pitchers which would limit the pool.

 

But yes, if a team was motivated, they could make Michael work, but would have to be (imo) a team that has absolutely no desire to compete this year.

[DaveW]

 

Total numbers of pitchers vs. position players probably prove the point though. Teams are much more aggressive protecting pitchers which would limit the pool.

 

But yes, if a team was motivated, they could make Michael work, but would have to be (imo) a team that has absolutely no desire to compete this year.

Michael would basically be a util INF/25th man on the bench, a competitive team would be able to stash him as he would only be playing once a week or so anyways. Either way I don't mind losing him.

Edited November 20, 2015 by DaveW

[Danchat]

I wonder if the Twins might claim a guy with one of the open 40 man spots? Many other teams have been shedding players like Achter and Pinto, so perhaps TR is searching the waiver wire for any potential.

 

If not, maybe we could still add Michael/Jones/Jorge tonight. I'm not convinced that the Twins will use that roster spot for a Rule 5 guy.

[sane]

 

Interesting that an NL team claimed Pinto

The Padres may have claimed Pinto for the sole purpose of trading him to an AL team that asked the Padres to claim him FOR THEM.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Had he been chosen, I believe Pat Dean might have been the oldest non-minor-league-free-agent Rule 5 pick ever selected, much less actually stuck.

Pat Dean's K% vs LHB in AAA last year was 12.2%, lower than everybody on his team except Thielbar and Stauffer:

http://minorleaguecentral.com/team?tid=5342015&split=201&amod=%3C%3D&age=99&hand=-1&time=0&type=pitcher&ymod=%3D&dyear=99&rmod=%3D&round=99&table=0

This is a real head-scratcher any way you slice it.

[DaveW]

 

The Padres may have claimed Pinto for the sole purpose of trading him to an AL team that asked the Padres to claim him FOR THEM.

I'm not sure that is allowed?

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

The Padres may have claimed Pinto for the sole purpose of trading him to an AL team that asked the Padres to claim him FOR THEM.

Probably not: "A club is not permitted to make a waiver claim and then trade the player to another club if the purpose of the claim was to prevent a third club from being awarded the waiver claim. (A waiver claim that is judged by the MLB Commissioner to have been made for this purpose will be revoked)."

 

http://www.thecubreporter.com/book/export/html/3525

 

They could have an eye to outrighting him to AAA later, though.

[DaveW]

 

 

Had he been chosen, I believe Pat Dean might have been the oldest non-minor-league-free-agent Rule 5 pick ever selected, much less actually stuck.

Pat Dean's K% vs LHB in AAA last year was 12.2%, lower than everybody on his team except Thielbar and Stauffer:

http://minorleaguecentral.com/team?tid=5342015&split=201&amod=%3C%3D&age=99&hand=-1&time=0&type=pitcher&ymod=%3D&dyear=99&rmod=%3D&round=99&table=0

This is a real head-scratcher any way you slice it.

Dean has some value, but not in this org.

[sane]

 

Probably not: "A club is not permitted to make a waiver claim and then trade the player to another club if the purpose of the claim was to prevent a third club from being awarded the waiver claim.

 

http://www.thecubreporter.com/book/export/html/3525

.

What is the statute of limitations for that?

Are you saying that that Padres can NEVER trade Pinto to the AL, or that they can't trade within a certain time period after the waiver claim?

[Rosterman]

Someone said T.R. could be searching the waiver wire ... but you have to add that guy to your own 40-man. At some point, the Phillies or San Diego may feel that their additions from the Twins to the 40-man aren't worth it, and both will also go thru waivers. Of course, they have the option of keeping them in the organization.

 

I find the addition of Dean and the keeping of Darnell interesting. Yes, both are lefthanders, of which the Twins have few major league ready depth, but still...both? Achter put up good numbers in the minors, but so did a guy named Anthony Slama, as well as Eddie Morlan in the past.

 

Be interesting to see who the Twins sign (beyond Paulino) as a minor league catching free agent.

 

We can argue about the need to add Rosario and Melotakis and Landa. I would doubt that the Twins would lose all three in the Rule 5, if even one of them. Sure, a couple have the appearance of starting the season on the DL, but still.....

 

It's too bad that players like Pinto and Achter join other names like Duensing and Boyer (and maybe Arcia) as having little or no trade value to the Twins, but enough of an interest that they may get picked up by another team (or do get picked up). But maybe the Twins can steal a prospect (or two) from some other minor elague system.

 

Good for Tonkin making the cut, I guess. But I would've been more inclined to go without a guy who needs to be added to the major league roster than one that still has options and still has potential.