Article: A Look At The Latest Twins Signings

[Nick Nelson]

Things have played out slowly this offseason for the Minnesota Twins since the early splashes with Byung Ho Park and John Ryan Murphy. We're still waiting for significant moves to address the roster's remaining holes, but the organization did announce a series of minor-league signings on Tuesday.

 

For a couple of reasons, this group is worthy of a closer look.In recent years, players signed to minor-league deals have frequently ended up on the Opening Day roster. Recent examples include Blaine Boyer, Shane Robinson, Jason Kubel, Jason Bartlett, Wilkin Ramirez and Jared Burton.

 

Granted, those players all had spring training invites attached to their contracts, and to my knowledge none of the newly signed guys do. But considering that these acquisitions all have some MLB experience, and all conspicuously add depth at areas that are very much in flux on the big-league roster, they are noteworthy.

 

It wouldn't be too surprising to see any of the four appear for the Twins next year.

 

Darin Mastroianni, OF

 

Hey, we know him!

 

The Twins have been on the hunt for a fourth outfielder – a role that Mastroianni filled in Minnesota for parts of three seasons. He's a poor candidate for that role now, offering no real stand-out skills other than base-stealing, but he can play all around the outfield and will provide some depth at Rochester.

 

Wilfredo Tovar, SS

 

How many shortstops do the Twins have that they can trust defensively? Eduardo Escobar is good, but Danny Santana is overly error-prone, and Eduardo Nunez is more of an emergency option at the position. Many believe that Jorge Polanco will end up at second. Mike Berardino reported on Tuesday that Engelb Vielma, a slick-gloved 21-year-old, will be invited to big-league camp. He might be the best defensive shortstop in the organization, but he hasn't played above Single-A and has a .306 slugging percentage in the minors.

 

Tovar comes over from the Mets system with a very good reputation as a fielder, and he has had a couple sips of coffee in the majors, though he doesn't hit much. It doesn't hurt to add another quality shortstop glove into the mix, and Tovar is still only 24.

 

Brandon Kintzler, RHP

 

Kintzler has quite a bit of experience at the highest level, having compiled 172 appearances for the Milwaukee Brewers over the past six seasons, all out of the bullpen. At his best, he was a reliable setup man, routinely pitching the eighth inning ahead of closer Jim Henderson in 2013. Kintzler has been hampered by shoulder issues recently, but the same was also true of Jared Burton when the Twins picked him up under similar circumstances. That didn't turn out too badly.

 

Buddy Boshers, LHP

 

By all accounts, finding lefty relief help is currently Ryan's top priority. Bosher, a 27-year-old who hasn't pitched in the majors outside of a brief stint in 2013, is a bit of a long shot, but he is probably the most intriguing player in this batch.

 

A former fourth-round pick by the Angels, has shown some ability in the minors, averaging a strikeout per inning while posting a 3.67 ERA over seven seasons. Last year he pitched for the Somerset Patriots in indy ball, and must have caught the eye of the Twins scouting department while putting up a 1.00 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 71-to-14 K/BB ratio out in 54 relief appearances.

 

Bosher is a lotto ticket, but he does offer some enigmatic upside that you don't typically find with these kinds of signings. Plus, that name! He's one to keep an eye on.

 

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[diehardtwinsfan]

These are all good minor league depth signings, albeit with some major league upside. 

[KGB]

I like the minor league signings, as much as we hate on Blaine Boyer I would gladly take relief pitcher with a 2.75 ERA at the end of the year.  Even if he can't strike out anyone.

[Platoon]

If my wife was a baseball fan she would say "FINE"!

[Seth Stohs]

When the Twins sign minor league free agents, we can usually tell which ones will open the season, which ones have kind of the hint-hint, we'll sign you to a minor league deal for roster purposes but you're going to make the roster as long as you're healthy.

 

That was the case with Kubel and Burton and Robinson from the group above. Boyer and Ramirez went out and won their jobs in spring training. Bartlett, well, we'll never really understand that one.

 

The Twins are believed to be announcing their Non-Roster invites tomorrow (Friday), and my assumption is all four of these guys will be on that list. I would think Aaron Thompson, Joe Benson, Juan Centero will also be non-roster invites. That's part of why these guys sign minor league deals with a particular team, knowing they'll be seen by the big league staff.

 

I don't see any of these guys being in that Burton/Kubel category of hint-hint you're on the big league roster. Kintzler might be the closest since he had two full seasons and a lot of work in 2013-2014 and is only available because of the injury. If he's healthy, he likely competes with Fien and Tonkin for the final two RH RP spots.

 

The others are just depth who would need something to happen to make the big league roster, at least out of spring training. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Boshers is let go before the end of spring training.

[mikelink45]

A nice diversion since nothing is happening on the MLB level.  Good luck to all of them, but if they make the opening day roster we will not be as strong as we should be. 

[Mike Sixel]

I just don't want anyone in AA that should be in AAA, because some random guy that is older gets the spot. That's my main concern with any of these signings. If Kepler is in AA to start, I'll be very disappointed. If any of the young RP that are supposedly going to be up this year are in AA to start, I'll be somewhat disappointed. 

[ThejacKmp]

 

I just don't want anyone in AA that should be in AAA, because some random guy that is older gets the spot. That's my main concern with any of these signings. If Kepler is in AA to start, I'll be very disappointed. If any of the young RP that are supposedly going to be up this year are in AA to start, I'll be somewhat disappointed. 

 

I'm not worried about that. Guys can make the jump from AA to the majors and the difference between the two leagues isn't all that crazy - AAA has more of the AAAA players and guys who are organizational depth while AA often has your up-and-coming arms. Basically, the talent level isn't as big a jump because AAA has a lot of guys whose careers have stagnated while AA tends to have pitchers with velocity who can hit their spots and hitters who go up with a solid plan.

 

The real issue for me would if the backlog builds up and guys are in High A who are ready for AA because that's a huge jump. But I trust the Twins to manage this - they know what their priorities are and I can't remember them blocking young guys up the system by holding onto useless guys in the high levels of the minors.

[Rosterman]

 

When the Twins sign minor league free agents, we can usually tell which ones will open the season, which ones have kind of the hint-hint, we'll sign you to a minor league deal for roster purposes but you're going to make the roster as long as you're healthy.

 

That was the case with Kubel and Burton and Robinson from the group above. Boyer and Ramirez went out and won their jobs in spring training. Bartlett, well, we'll never really understand that one.

 

The Twins are believed to be announcing their Non-Roster invites tomorrow (Friday), and my assumption is all four of these guys will be on that list. I would think Aaron Thompson, Joe Benson, Juan Centero will also be non-roster invites. That's part of why these guys sign minor league deals with a particular team, knowing they'll be seen by the big league staff.

 

I don't see any of these guys being in that Burton/Kubel category of hint-hint you're on the big league roster. Kintzler might be the closest since he had two full seasons and a lot of work in 2013-2014 and is only available because of the injury. If he's healthy, he likely competes with Fien and Tonkin for the final two RH RP spots.

 

The others are just depth who would need something to happen to make the big league roster, at least out of spring training. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Boshers is let go before the end of spring training.

And, of course, you can never have too much pitching. Names that may be pencilled in for the majors MAY end up injured (or not work out) -- Graham, Pressley for example. The Twins could suddenly have many outfielders break down (that hasn't happened, right?). When you look at the current names on the Rochester roster, and add in, say, 10 names from the 40-man, you see that team is pretty set now. 

 

I find seeing who gets jobs and invites anywhere exciting off-season news. Hey, Garrett Jones just signed with Japan! Good for him!

[Mike Sixel]

 

I'm not worried about that. Guys can make the jump from AA to the majors and the difference between the two leagues isn't all that crazy - AAA has more of the AAAA players and guys who are organizational depth while AA often has your up-and-coming arms. Basically, the talent level isn't as big a jump because AAA has a lot of guys whose careers have stagnated while AA tends to have pitchers with velocity who can hit their spots and hitters who go up with a solid plan.

 

The real issue for me would if the backlog builds up and guys are in High A who are ready for AA because that's a huge jump. But I trust the Twins to manage this - they know what their priorities are and I can't remember them blocking young guys up the system by holding onto useless guys in the high levels of the minors.

 

AA has a much lower percentage of AAA/AAAA/MLB players. It has some, some elite guys, but most lineups have 2-3 guys. But, facing a AAA lineup has much fewer weaknesses and is a much better test of a pitcher's ability.

 

I read here all the time it doesn't matter, and yet, the Twins and most other teams actually do promote guys to AAA before sending them to the majors.

 

It's a super convenient argument.....doesn't matter that they are in AA, they can always promote them from there.....and also, can't promote him, because he's not even been in AAA yet. The same people say those things all the time here. AAA matters, no matter what people here keep typing.

[USAFChief]

I don't much care who is at AAA and who is at AA.

 

I care who is on the big league team. And when you are constantly filling holes on the big league team with non roster spring invites, as Plan A no less, it's no wonder you've won one post season series in decades.

 

One of Mastro/Benson is going to be on the Twins out of camp. At least one bullpen spot will go to one of the above names.

 

Those are near locks, IMO.

 

Not a fan of this approach.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I just don't want anyone in AA that should be in AAA, because some random guy that is older gets the spot. That's my main concern with any of these signings. If Kepler is in AA to start, I'll be very disappointed. If any of the young RP that are supposedly going to be up this year are in AA to start, I'll be somewhat disappointed. 

 

I would suspect that Burdi, Reed and Chargois will all start in AA this year. But I thought that before these signings. I mean, Burdi and Reed didn't get back to AA until the final week or two of the regular season. Chargois only spent about 6 weeks there. 

[bluechipper]

 

I don't much care who is at AAA and who is at AA.

I care who is on the big league team. And when you are constantly filling holes on the big league team with non roster spring invites, as Plan A no less, it's no wonder you've won one post season series in decades.

One of Mastro/Benson is going to be on the Twins out of camp. At least one bullpen spot will go to one of the above names.

Those are near locks, IMO.

Not a fan of this approach.

I really doubt that one of those bullpen guys will open the season with the Twins.

[Vanimal46]

 

I would suspect that Burdi, Reed and Chargois will all start in AA this year. But I thought that before these signings. I mean, Burdi and Reed didn't get back to AA until the final week or two of the regular season. Chargois only spent about 6 weeks there. 

Do the Twins have a track record of promoting bullpen arms from AA to the MLB? Or are we hoping for a fast track of those guys getting hot for 5-6 weeks, promote to AAA, get hot for another 5-6 weeks, and be on the MLB club by June/July?

[Shaitan]

I don't get why people keep saying Benson has a shot at the team. What has he done in the last 4 years to show that? I'd be surprised if he makes it to AAA.

[bluechipper]

 

I don't get why people keep saying Benson has a shot at the team. What has he done in the last 4 years to show that? I'd be surprised if he makes it to AAA.

I totally agree. Especially when Danny Santana can be the 4th outfielder, but Benson should not be on an opening day roster, even if he goes all Hicks on spring training.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Do the Twins have a track record of promoting bullpen arms from AA to the MLB? Or are we hoping for a fast track of those guys getting hot for 5-6 weeks, promote to AAA, get hot for another 5-6 weeks, and be on the MLB club by June/July?

 

I think that would be pretty aggressive, but also possible. They have called some up from AA. Jose Mijares comes to mind. 

[Hrbowski]

 

The Twins are believed to be announcing their Non-Roster invites tomorrow (Friday), and my assumption is all four of these guys will be on that list. I would think Aaron Thompson, Joe Benson, Juan Centero will also be non-roster invites. That's part of why these guys sign minor league deals with a particular team, knowing they'll be seen by the big league staff.

Don't forget Dan Ruzler, he should be in there also.

[ThejacKmp]

 

AA has a much lower percentage of AAA/AAAA/MLB players. It has some, some elite guys, but most lineups have 2-3 guys. But, facing a AAA lineup has much fewer weaknesses and is a much better test of a pitcher's ability.

 

I read here all the time it doesn't matter, and yet, the Twins and most other teams actually do promote guys to AAA before sending them to the majors.

 

It's a super convenient argument.....doesn't matter that they are in AA, they can always promote them from there.....and also, can't promote him, because he's not even been in AAA yet. The same people say those things all the time here. AAA matters, no matter what people here keep typing.

 

I'm not saying AAA doesn't matter at all, just that I don’t think guys development will be blocked by five or six minor league free agents.  The difference comes partly from the fact that I don't look at all of those AAAA players as necessarily a good thing – teams facing the Red Wings last year faced guys struggling to hit major league pitching and stalled prospects.  Now I get that's just the Twins and I'm nowhere near expert enough to say if we are different than other organizations but I haven’t read anything from the people on this site or baseball writers indicating that Twins are any different – all teams get five or six minor league free agents and stick them in AAA for organizational depth.

 

It just seems like AAA has become a place for lots of MLB teams to stash the minor league free agents and the older prospects that may be fated to be 3rd catchers, utility guys or who have tried the majors and need more seasoning. AA teams are where the impact prospects are and even if the whole batting lineup isn’t amazing, those are the guys you want your up and coming pitchers to face as they develop. 

Two other things:

 

1) Last year Kepler, Buxton and Sano all made the jump from AA to the majors. While Buxton did some injury time in AAA later and Kepler was a cup of coffee and may end up in AAA for a few months this year due to crowding/service time, these guys were all judged to not need AAA. And it’s not just last year, Mauer did the same thing a decade ago. If a guy can master AA, AAA seems to be skippable and I haven't heard a ton of evidence that these guys were hurt by not facing AAA pitching. If you want evidence on the pitching side of things, Berrios was primarily in AA all year and when the Twins decided not to bring him up it was because of innings, not because he hadn't seen AAA batters. If he doesn’t make the major league rotation this year it won’t be because he hasn’t faced AAA.  So AAA is not necessary to making the jump, indicating that the Twins view the two leagues as relatively equivalent.

 

2) These minor league free agents won’t all be on the team all year.  The Twins exciting relief prospects can start the year in AA and then if they push up to AAA, a lot of those minor league veteran guys can easily be released.  But if the AA prospects stall out or the Twins have some pen injuries early in the year, it’s nice to have some options in AAA.

[Mike Sixel]

Those are three elite prospects.....as Seth said, those aren't the guys that get blocked by mediocrity. And, Buxton was up because of injuries, and Kepler wasn't really up, was he?

 

We have no idea why Berrios was not up, instead of May making a spot start. But, again, you are talking about a top 20 prospect.......

 

Guys blocked by mediocrity are the RP and 4th OF and DH and SP types that have upside, but who are not elite. I don't think we are having the same conversation here.

[bird]

In order to have the same conversation, we might have to agree about what we generally see in AAA versus in AA.

 

With a few exceptions at a given moment AAA is filled with guys who are MLB ready but just not quite good enough talent-wise, whereas AA is filled with guys who are good enough talent-wise but just not quite ready.

 

From a development standpoint, I doubt there's a huge discrepancy regarding which level is better for a guy who maybe has a thing or two left to work on or just needs a tad more experience. The placement decision probably has little to do with the level of play and more to do with which environment offers the better playing opportunity and teaching conditions.

[ExpectMorePayLess]

2012 Rookie League - Champions

2013 Low A - Best Overall Record in the Minor Leagues

2014 High A - Champions (1st ever)

2015 AA - Champions (1st ever)

2016 AAA - Don't stop the machine with FA minor league signings

 

Why does no one talk about prospect morale?  Let these band of brothers continue their quest for championships together.  Don't overstock the AAA team with Free Agents.  You can always send guys down like they did from / to AA last year (Burdi / Reed / Vargas).  Those players were resilient throughout and flourished when called upon in AA championship.

[Mike Sixel]

 

In order to have the same conversation, we might have to agree about what we generally see in AAA versus in AA.

 

With a few exceptions at a given moment AAA is filled with guys who are MLB ready but just not quite good enough talent-wise, whereas AA is filled with guys who are good enough talent-wise but just not quite ready.

 

From a development standpoint, I doubt there's a huge discrepancy regarding which level is better for a guy who maybe has a thing or two left to work on or just needs a tad more experience. The placement decision probably has little to do with the level of play and more to do with which environment offers the better playing opportunity and teaching conditions.

 

I'd bet AA isn't mostly guys that have the talent, but aren't ready.....I'd bet it is about half that, at most. Most of those guys don't have the talent to get past AA, I'd guess. Sure there are the elite talents that are in AA and maybe not AAA, but that is a tiny percent.