2017 player roster

[DocBauer]

I know we have over half a season left in 2016. IF...a big if I know...things are run even close to intelligently, Buxton, Grossman, Kepler, Sano and Polanco will be playing every day in some capacity. Hopefully, Rosario again at some point as well.

 

We have all waiting and pointed with eagerness at so many talented young players on their way up and ready, or close to it. (Grossman is the new guy to the party, of course) And we've all pointed accusatory fingers towards the FO and Molitor for how they have handled some of these youngsters. From what we are seeing on the field, and things that have been spoken out loud, I believe there is a commitment for more playing time for the youngsters the rest of the 2016 season to get ready for 2017 and beyond. 

 

Which got me thinking more recently about the actual construction of the 2017 player portion of the roster. I just don't see the Twins making a major FA signing or trade move here, and they probably shouldn't at this point. And by the second half of '17, there could be other names that begin to surface as rising, promotable candidates. But to begin the 2017 season:

 

OF: Grossman, Buxton, Kepler, Rosario and Arcia, with Santana as a super utility possibility.

 

Does Arcia still remain with the club? Would the team keep so many young OF on the roster with someone riding the pine? 

 

INF: Sano, Nunez, Escobar, Polanco, Dozier???, Beresford, Mauer, Park, Vargas. Again, Santana can also play some INF as a super sub.

 

Dozier is the big question mark here. What is his trade value? While young enough and talented enough to be part of the "new" Twins rebuild, he may just be replaceable, and actually have some trade value. I still believe Vargas has a decent future, be it with the Twins or not. But the odds are stacked against him with Park and Mauer entrenched at 1B/DH.

 

CATCHER: This is the big, black and blue sore spot. Centeno appears to be a capable backup and decent receiver. Murphy has been a major, major disappointment thus far. But rumor has it that he is NOT deceased, and a pulse was recently discovered at Rochester. Somewhere, FA or trade, this team MUST find another decent option for depth and competition at catcher. Garver and Turner just won't be ready this soon.

 

5 OF

8 or 9 INF (depending on Dozier)

3 C (one to be aquired)

1 Super Utility

 

17 or 18 total position players to work with that have a realistic chance to make the roster. The team will carry 13...maybe 14, though doubtful...meaning 5 of the above names are gone, or in reserve at Rochester awaiting a call up.

 

What is your opinion on how these 17 or 18 make up the 2017 player portion of the lineup? Additionally, what kind of lineup do you project?

[goulik]

Nunez and Vargas will be gone from your list. Also one or two of Santana, Arcia, and Grossman will also be gone.

[jorgenswest]

It would help their assessment if Plouffe and Suzuki are moved soon. Let's see Sano at third. Let's see the defense that Murphy and Centeno can provide from catcher. Let's give Rosario and Arcia long looks in the outfield. Move Dozier also and look at Santana or Polanco at 2B.

 

I don't know how they get a look at Vargas short of an injury or flipping him with Park for a time. If he brings his AAA OPS of mid 700s towards 800, the Twins need to see him for a few months too.

[Linus]

No need to see Arcia in the outfield. He won't be a regular outfielder on a good team but I am fine with giving him some regular at bats in the dh spot. Don't look now but your SS of the future might be Vielma.

[jorgenswest]

Vielma is a long way away. He has just 66 plate appearances in AA. No walks yet. Very low ISO throughout his minor league career. He is closer than Gordon but I would hang onto Nunez and Escobar for next year.

[roger]

Have been thinking of this also, Doc.

 

Believe that one of the three middle infielders, Escobar, Nunez and Dozier, needs to be moved...preferably by July 31.  Polanco steps into the mix with Santana as a super sub in the middle infield and outfield.

 

And yes, one of the top five outfielders needs to be moved.  Most likely candidate is Arcia due to his inability to play even average defense.  Should be a team out there that could use him a little in the outfield and at DH.

 

As for catching, they got to find a starter.  Could either get a super prospect who is ready thru a trade or sign a vet over the winter.  Then everyone now at AAA fights it out with Garver and Turner for the back up spot.

 

Like everyone else, don't know what to do with Vargas.  Maybe flip him with Park for a month and see how he does.  Might make sense to do that when Sano comes back so Sano can DH some until they can move Plouffe and let Sano settle into third base.

[jorgenswest]

Catchers that could be free agents this winter.

 

Wilson Ramos(29)

Jason Castro(30)

Matt Wieters(31)

 

The problem with committing to a catcher as a free agent is they don't play long into their 30s and decline sooner than other positions. I do like Ramos, but if the cost is 4 years it is very possible the Twins will be eating two of those.

[Otto von Ballpark]

I read the thread title as "2017 playoff roster" and thought it a tad presumptuous.

[HitInAPinch]

IF the Twins do start actual auditions [as opposed to injury-induced auditions] then changes need to be made.

 

Too many "DH -  plus another position" types on this team.  Arcia and Vargas are my 1st cuts.  Where to play Sano?  I believe he will eventually be a 1st/DH-type.  Try him at 3rd.

 

Polanco and Sano get more AB's than Dozier and Plouffe.  Dozier won't change:  look at his stats.  Plouffe is solid, in a truly unspectacular way.  i.e.  lunch bucket-type guy.

Keep both Escobar and Nunez;  Escobar the starter.  I think both of them would be great roll-models and leaders for a younger team.

1st / DH:  Mauer [ 1 more year? ] Park [ book isn't complete] Sano.

2nd:  Polanco over Dozier

SS: Escobar / Polanco, someone else?

3d:  Sano / Plouffe sharing time [Only because I don't know if Plouffe is completely recovered from injuries]

OF:  Rosario/Grossman LF, Buxton/Santana CF, Kepler, Sano RF

Catcher:  Suzuki has served his purpose.  Unfortunately, no MiLB catch seemed to jump out.  I'd run with Centeno and Murphy.  But I'd always be looking...

 

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

Among the outfielders, it's safe to say Buxton isn't going anywhere and Kepler has the next best outlook as a starter in the long term. Getting one passable starter and one good bench player out of the three of Arcia, Grossman, and Rosario seems like a reasonable goal. Grossman's career has a bit more of the "failed prospect" trajectory than Arcia or Rosario's at this point, but he's not that much older than them, and useful players arrive in different ways, including as ex-prospects putting it together later on. IMO it should be an open competition between those guys for those spots.

 

Santana seems more dispensable--fine to keep him around if they can use him, but no big loss if he gets cut for reasons of roster crunch. Similar case with Vargas.

 

Echoing the thread about trading Nunez, if some team wants to buy high on his hitting these last couple months, great, trade him; if not, he probably doesn't have great trade value and the Twins are in as good a position as any team to see how long he can sustain it. Yeah, not a good defender, but his ability to fill in at multiple positions has value, as does being a backup without a complete zero for a bat if putting Sano back at 3B or Polanco wherever doesn't work as hoped.

[DocBauer]

Among the outfielders, it's safe to say Buxton isn't going anywhere and Kepler has the next best outlook as a starter in the long term. Getting one passable starter and one good bench player out of the three of Arcia, Grossman, and Rosario seems like a reasonable goal. Grossman's career has a bit more of the "failed prospect" trajectory than Arcia or Rosario's at this point, but he's not that much older than them, and useful players arrive in different ways, including as ex-prospects putting it together later on. IMO it should be an open competition between those guys for those spots.

 

Santana seems more dispensable--fine to keep him around if they can use him, but no big loss if he gets cut for reasons of roster crunch. Similar case with Vargas.

 

Echoing the thread about trading Nunez, if some team wants to buy high on his hitting these last couple months, great, trade him; if not, he probably doesn't have great trade value and the Twins are in as good a position as any team to see how long he can sustain it. Yeah, not a good defender, but his ability to fill in at multiple positions has value, as does being a backup without a complete zero for a bat if putting Sano back at 3B or Polanco wherever doesn't work as hoped.

I agree with your assessment on Grossman and have said pretty much the same thing in different threads. You find useful players a lot of different ways, which is why I think the term "dumpster diving" is too frequently used. Despite the disappointing year from Rosario at this point, I don't think anyone should write him off.

 

Maybe it's just me, but I'm having a hard time finding a fit for Arcia with Rosario, Grossman, Buxton and Kepler in the fold, and Santana possibly as a reserve. Maybe with a FO and field manager change? I wouldn't be shocked if the Twins tried to come up with another Grossman-like OF for competition and depth but remove Arcia from the equation.

 

Personally, I'd like to see us hold on to Vargas for additional depth.

[AlwaysinModeration]

I read the thread title as "2017 playoff roster" and thought it a tad presumptuous.

I read it exactly the same way but liked the thinking.

[AZTwin]

 

Catchers that could be free agents this winter.

Wilson Ramos(29)
Jason Castro(30)
Matt Wieters(31)

The problem with committing to a catcher as a free agent is they don't play long into their 30s and decline sooner than other positions. I do like Ramos, but if the cost is 4 years it is very possible the Twins will be eating two of those.

Agreed that it would have been nice having Ramos.  Too bad we couldnt have had developed someone like him in our organization.

[Rosterman]

Okay. Catcher. Murphy is a stay. Centeno is a dime-a-dozen replacement. You can bring back Fryer, grab Drew Butera, plug in someone with only a one year committment and still get what we currently have from the position until Garver or Turner, who might offer better defense, but still no hitting. Garver and Turner will probably be added to 40-man with Murphy. If the Twins need anotehr catcher, it will happen during spring training.

 

If Sano is third, then Plouffe is gone. If Polanco is second, there is no need for Dozier. The Twins need a placesetter at short, so Escobar is still cheaper than Nunez. Beresford will get an add somewhere and shine and show he belongs as a bench guy or not. Otehrwise, we might see Tovar here. Remember, Santana could be a shortstop.

 

Outfield is crowded. Grossman will be given another look. Buxton is in center. Rosario and Arcia can hang on and battle it out in right, unless Kepler takes it away. Then who do we keep? Walker is in the wings and will get a look in September.

 

Vargas is not necessary...if you keep Sano.  We have too much invested in Park and the Twins will play him a second season, but if they receive offers, he may be expendable. Remember, Kepler could also play first. Maybe if we keep Plouffe (don't say that - 411 million unnecessary expense for a non longterm solution for this club).

 

There are jobs open. Palka, Harrison. Reginaldo. Who knows what other waiver wire dandy Ryan & Co. may find.

f

And any pitcher that wants to pitch for the Twins - show your stuf and you got a job. But there are others in the wings. The only thing holding some guys here is salary investment, which shouldn't matter once THIS season ends. Eat the salary and move on Front Office.

 

But no need for ANY offense free agents. And not seeing much coming back in trade that would help the Twins next season.

[Vanimal46]

Vargas will most likely be hitting 50 bombs a year in Japan or Korea next season. Nunez if everything goes right this year will be playing somewhere else. Dozier as well - if he can be traded I'm all for it. I'm also fine if D Santana is not tendered next season. 

OF - Buxton, Kepler, Grossman, FA Veteran OF - Depth: Rosario, Arcia

IF - Mauer/Park, Polanco, Escobar, Dozier or Nunez (if one isn't traded), Sano - Depth: Beresford

 

C - FA C, Centeno - Depth: Murphy, Garver/Turner

 

 

[Loosey]

I'm still not 100% sold on trading Nunez.  If it happens, fine, but he was at one point a pretty highly thought of prospect and Jeter's heir apparent in NY.

 

He is playing better than is attainable for a full year, but I think he can be .280-.290 hitter with some decent pop.

 

If the Twins gave him a 2 year deal 2017-2018 I would be OK with it.  That makes him a placeholder for whoever is the next SS in the organization, hopefully Gordon in 2018 at some point.

 

So I would like to see the following

 

Outfield:

Grossman, Buxton, Kepler,  (Rosario/Arcia/Santana) as 4th OF

 

Infield:

Sano, Nunez, Polanco, Mauer

 

Catcher:

??????????

 

Utility:

Beresford/Santana

 

 

[lukeduke1980]

I'm kind of surprised that a .333 % winning team doesn't generate a little more creativity than to call up James Beresford.  

 

 

[Winston Smith]

Really just seems like more of the same.

[Vanimal46]

 

Really just seems like more of the same.

That's for sure. Nothing too exciting unless some of these young guys take a big step forward. 

[bluechipper]

 

Catchers that could be free agents this winter.

Wilson Ramos(29)
Jason Castro(30)
Matt Wieters(31)

The problem with committing to a catcher as a free agent is they don't play long into their 30s and decline sooner than other positions. I do like Ramos, but if the cost is 4 years it is very possible the Twins will be eating two of those.

I'd like Wilson Ramos as a FA sign. The problem is that it looks like he'll be coming off of a career year. He's hitting .337 with a .949 OPS at 28 years old. Will he get a Brian McCann 5 yr $85M contract?