Potential Wild Card 25 Man Roster

[mattkummer]

So-- should the Twins occupy one of the Wild Card spots, how should they construct the roster?

Teams are allowed to reset the 25 man roster before each playoff round, so if the Twins won-- they could re-set for the ALDS.

 

A Wild Card roster would be constructed-- knowing that it is one game. So, you could leave off the starting pitcher from the day before, add defense/speed guys for late innings, etc.

 

The AL Wild Card game is set for Tuesday 10/3. The ALDS starts Thursday, 10/5

(I hadn't checked that in my original post-- so I will make a couple changes.)

My Wild Card 25 Man Roster

 

Starting 9

(not lineup order)

C-Castro

1B-Mauer

2B-Dozier

3B-Escobar

SS-Polanco

LF-Rosario

CF-Buxton

RF-Kepler

DH-Sano

 

Reserves (6)

C-Gimenez

OF/PH- Grossman

IF- Adrianza

PH-Vargas

OF/PR-Granite

C/1B/PH-Garver

 

Pitchers (10)

-Santana

-Belisle

-Hildenberger

-Rogers (L)

-Busenitz

-Pressly

-Duffey

-Gibson

-Boshers (L)

-Mejia (L)

 

The Twins have said Ervin Santana is lined up to pitch the Wild Card game. Should they win, I'd assume Jose Berrios pitches Game 1.
In sketching out how the rotation might look the rest of the way-- I'm guessing Mejia and Bartolo will pitch the final 2 games against Detroit. Obviously, that may change if they've clinched a Wild Card berth. But, that's the scenario I'm working toward here.

 

I loaded up with bullpen arms, knowing that managers have very short leashes in playoff games. The top 4 relievers are no-brainers, and so is Pressly for the most part. Duffey hasn't been great but he's been around all year. Gee has been acceptable in a long role, so if Santana goes out early, he can pick up innings. With off days between the series, Gibson (the likely ALDS game 2 starter), can be a long guy. The lefties scare me, aside from Rogers. Boshers is a full LOOGY. Mejia can be that guy in a wild card game on short rest.

You'll note-- no Glen Perkins. I don't see him coming anywhere near a playoff roster. 

 

The starting position players should be no surprise. Looks like Escobar has 3B locked down even when Sano returns.

 

On the bench, Gimenez, Grossman and Adrianza are givens. (If the Twins face a LH starter, Grossman starts instead of Kepler.)

The 23-25th man gets interesting. Vargas gets a spot because of value as a late inning PH. Granite gets a spot, likely as a PR late with the Twins behind a run or tied. Garver gets a spot as a potential RH bat with pop.

 

How would you build it?

 

[diehardtwinsfan]

I haven't seen Garver play behind the plate, but unless he's worthless there, I'd think that Giminez can be replaced by another reliever.

[drjim]

I like it. Will be interesting to see if Moya can sneak on the roster with a couple of good outings going forward.

[drjim]

 

I haven't seen Garver play behind the plate, but unless he's worthless there, I'd think that Giminez can be replaced by another reliever.

 

No chance. If Garver does anything, he'll be a potential pinch hitter, so they'd want to keep the backup catcher just in case.

[mattkummer]

 

I like it. Will be interesting to see if Moya can sneak on the roster with a couple of good outings going forward.

 

I had the same thought about Moya. Could see him quickly moving past Boshers if he pitches well.

 

The other move I wonder about-- is do they include Berrios as a potential 2-3 inning option if Santana doesn't last long? 

[Mike Sixel]

I think they keep three catchers also, for PH reasons. They don't need as many pitchers in the post season.

 

uh, is Berrios in the pitching list and I missed it?

[SweetOne69]

 

The Twins have said Ervin Santana is lined up to pitch the Wild Card game. Should they win, I'd assume Jose Berrios pitches Game 1.

In sketching out how the rotation might look the rest of the way-- I'm guessing Mejia and Bartolo will pitch the final 2 games against Detroit. Obviously, that may change if they've clinched a Wild Card berth. But, that's the scenario I'm working toward here.

The way the schedule works out, Santana will make his last regular start on 9/29 (Unless they skip the 5th starter and have Santana pitch in Cleveland on the 28th).  If he pitches on the 29th he will be pitching on short rest for the WC game.

[strumdatjaguar]

Add Berrios - dump Garver, Granite or Boshers

[yarnivek1972]

I haven't seen Garver play behind the plate, but unless he's worthless there, I'd think that Giminez can be replaced by another reliever.

Really think the Twins need more than 9 relievers (two of which are starters) for one game?

[yarnivek1972]

The way the schedule works out, Santana will make his last regular start on 9/29 (Unless they skip the 5th starter and have Santana pitch in Cleveland on the 28th). If he pitches on the 29th he will be pitching on short rest for the WC game.

They probably will skip the 5 that time.

[drjim]

 

I had the same thought about Moya. Could see him quickly moving past Boshers if he pitches well.

 

The other move I wonder about-- is do they include Berrios as a potential 2-3 inning option if Santana doesn't last long? 

 

I wonder if Berrios was left off with the assumption he'd start game 1 of the LCS.

[mattkummer]

 

The way the schedule works out, Santana will make his last regular start on 9/29 (Unless they skip the 5th starter and have Santana pitch in Cleveland on the 28th).  If he pitches on the 29th he will be pitching on short rest for the WC game.

As I mapped it out, they do exactly that: skip the 5th starter due to the off day on 9/25 and Santana pitches on the 28th.

[old nurse]

 

I like it. Will be interesting to see if Moya can sneak on the roster with a couple of good outings going forward.

Moya was not up before September 1. To get on the playoff roster someone on the roster before September 1 would have to get hurt.

[yarnivek1972]

Add Berrios - dump Garver, Granite or Boshers

I guess if I were going to add Berrios, I would likely subtract Gibson or maybe Duffey. It does make sense to have Berrios even though he would theoretically be starting the next game. After all, if you don't win, there is no next game.

[mattkummer]

 

I wonder if Berrios was left off with the assumption he'd start game 1 of the LCS.

That was my original thought. However, there is a day off between the Wildcard and the ALDS. They could theoretically roster him-- knowing that he'd be a 2 inning bridge to a short Santana start.

 

If that happens and they win-- then I guess you try to figure out who goes in Game 1 of the DS. I'd guess Gibson-- and then Berrios, Santana, etc.

[SweetOne69]

 

Moya was not up before September 1. To get on the playoff roster someone on the roster before September 1 would have to get hurt.

No one would have to get hurt.  Here is the MLB Postseason Eligibility Rules:

 

Per Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement, players must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for postseason play.

Players must be on the 40-man roster, the 60-day disabled list or the bereavement/family medical emergency list as of midnight ET on Aug. 31 to be eligible for their respective clubs' postseason rosters. Consequently, players that are acquired via September trades or signed as free agents in September are ineligible for postseason play.

Clubs can petition the Commissioner's Office to add any player that was not on the 40-man roster as of Aug. 31 -- provided the player was in the organization on Aug. 31 and is replacing a player who has spent at least 60 days on the 60-day disabled list.

 

While Moya is technically ineligible since he wasn't on the 40-man or 60-day DL on August 31.  The team has several players on the 60-day DL that they could petition the league to have Moya Replace.

[Lee-The-Twins-Fan]

I think you've pretty much got it. Building the roster for the next series would be more difficult, as you would have to add some more starting pitchers – at least one (Berrios). It might be tempting to add Colon to the roster at that point, given his experience in the post season, but unless he improves significantly in his next two starts, I would not.

 

Then who do you drop? My choice would be Mejia, especially if he's used in the WC game. Go with a three-man rotation for the playoffs - Berrios, Santana and Gibson. Use the rest as relievers.

 

If Colon pitches lights out in the next two starts, the Twins might want to add him, as a reliever. But he just has not been doing well against better teams.

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

Ah, I missed this was just for the WC game......

 

I'd not have Berrios on the WC roster. There are enough other pitchers for relief. If they need a RP after 2-3 inning,s they are in trouble any way. Your best RPs should be on that roster, even if you have to burn thru all of them 1 inning at a time....

[Lee-The-Twins-Fan]

 

No one would have to get hurt.  Here is the MLB Postseason Eligibility Rules:

 

Per Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement, players must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for postseason play.

Players must be on the 40-man roster, the 60-day disabled list or the bereavement/family medical emergency list as of midnight ET on Aug. 31 to be eligible for their respective clubs' postseason rosters. Consequently, players that are acquired via September trades or signed as free agents in September are ineligible for postseason play.

Clubs can petition the Commissioner's Office to add any player that was not on the 40-man roster as of Aug. 31 -- provided the player was in the organization on Aug. 31 and is replacing a player who has spent at least 60 days on the 60-day disabled list.

 

While Moya is technically ineligible since he wasn't on the 40-man or 60-day DL on August 31.  The team has several players on the 60-day DL that they could petition the league to have Moya Replace.

That's good to know. Moya might be a good replacement. 

 

How cool would it be – a guy playing in AA ball in September playing in the World Series in October!!??!!

 

(Yes, I know I'm dreaming). Some dreams do come true.

[yarnivek1972]

I think you've pretty much got it. Building the roster for the next series would be more difficult, as you would have to add some more starting pitchers – at least one (Berrios). It might be tempting to add Colon to the roster at that point, given his experience in the post season, but unless he improves significantly in his next two starts, I would not.

 

Then who do you drop? My choice would be Mejia, especially if he's used in the WC game. Go with a three-man rotation for the playoffs - Berrios, Santana and Gibson. Use the rest as relievers.

 

If Colon pitches lights out in the next two starts, the Twins might want to add him, as a reliever. But he just has not been doing well against better teams.

I'm not sure using only 3 starters in the ALDS would be a viable option. The game one starter would be on short rest in game 4. I really don't see anyone able to do that.

[notoriousgod71]

I would leave Berrios on there in the event Erv would get hurt in warmups or early in the game. I do not want to mix and match for nine innings. And if we need eight mediocre relievers we are going to lose anyway.

[old nurse]

 

No one would have to get hurt.  Here is the MLB Postseason Eligibility Rules:

 

Per Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement, players must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for postseason play.

Players must be on the 40-man roster, the 60-day disabled list or the bereavement/family medical emergency list as of midnight ET on Aug. 31 to be eligible for their respective clubs' postseason rosters. Consequently, players that are acquired via September trades or signed as free agents in September are ineligible for postseason play.

Clubs can petition the Commissioner's Office to add any player that was not on the 40-man roster as of Aug. 31 -- provided the player was in the organization on Aug. 31 and is replacing a player who has spent at least 60 days on the 60-day disabled list.

 

While Moya is technically ineligible since he wasn't on the 40-man or 60-day DL on August 31.  The team has several players on the 60-day DL that they could petition the league to have Moya Replace.

That would be May or O'Rourke. To get approval it would likely take showing that there was an expectation that either could have pitched. That is not happening.

[yarnivek1972]

That would be May or O'Rourke. To get approval it would likely take showing that there was an expectation that either could have pitched. That is not happening.

Or Santiago. Wouldn't be too hard to show there was an expectation of him pitching, even if that is required. Approval for these moves has been pretty standard over the years. I've never heard of a team not being able to add someone they wanted to add. And in this age, it would have made news.

[old nurse]

 

Or Santiago. Wouldn't be too hard to show there was an expectation of him pitching, even if that is required. Approval for these moves has been pretty standard over the years. I've never heard of a team not being able to add someone they wanted to add. And in this age, it would have made news.

Santiago went on the 60 day on September 1 thus does not meet the 60 days on the 60 day rule.  Same for Chagois, Hughes went on sometime in August  I do not remember anyone being added that joined the team after September 1,

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

Santiago went on the 60 day on September 1 thus does not meet the 60 days on the 60 day rule.  Same for Chagois, Hughes went on sometime in August  I do not remember anyone being added that joined the team after September 1,

I think the other poster is correct, but perhaps you are saying the front office made a blunder with Moya. 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

That's good to know. Moya might be a good replacement. 

 

How cool would it be – a guy playing in AA ball in September playing in the World Series in October!!??!!

 

(Yes, I know I'm dreaming). Some dreams do come true.

Raul Mondesi, did this very thing a couple years ago with the Royals.

[old nurse]

 

I think the other poster is correct, but perhaps you are saying the front office made a blunder with Moya. 

Perhaps you made a blunder by fictionalizing what I think of Moya.  I have said nothing of Moya's abilities, just that  there would need to be an injury to get him on the post season roster. 

From the Sweet Ones post

Clubs can petition the Commissioner's Office to add any player that was not on the 40-man roster as of Aug. 31 -- provided the player was in the organization on Aug. 31 and is replacing a player who has spent at least 60 days on the 60-day disabled list.

Santiago went on the 60 day dl on September 1.  He was on the 15 day dl before that. 

The Twins could add  Reed or Curtis to the post season roster.  Whatever they do they need to have more than Busenitz, Belisle, Hildenberger and Rogers followed bu Uh oh. If it is Moya, great. One appearance in a mop up role is not much to judge on. People will have to see how the month plays out. Turley, Tonkin, Curtis will all likely get a chance to show they belong.  All four, show they belong in a major league bullpen even better. The team fist has to get into the playoffs first before they have to worry about the roster. By the end of the month there might be a clearer bullpen picture.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Ah, I missed this was just for the WC game......

 

I'd not have Berrios on the WC roster. There are enough other pitchers for relief. If they need a RP after 2-3 inning,s they are in trouble any way. Your best RPs should be on that roster, even if you have to burn thru all of them 1 inning at a time....

The Twins could play a bullpen game, pitch every good reliever one inning, and still empty their bullpen in three innings.

 

In other words, there's room for Berrios.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

Perhaps you made a blunder by fictionalizing what I think of Moya.  I have said nothing of Moya's abilities, just that  there would need to be an injury to get him on the post season roster. 

From the Sweet Ones post

Clubs can petition the Commissioner's Office to add any player that was not on the 40-man roster as of Aug. 31 -- provided the player was in the organization on Aug. 31 and is replacing a player who has spent at least 60 days on the 60-day disabled list.

Santiago went on the 60 day dl on September 1.  He was on the 15 day dl before that. 

The Twins could add  Reed or Curtis to the post season roster.  Whatever they do they need to have more than Busenitz, Belisle, Hildenberger and Rogers followed bu Uh oh. If it is Moya, great. One appearance in a mop up role is not much to judge on. People will have to see how the month plays out. Turley, Tonkin, Curtis will all likely get a chance to show they belong.  All four, show they belong in a major league bullpen even better. The team fist has to get into the playoffs first before they have to worry about the roster. By the end of the month there might be a clearer bullpen picture.

yeah, they might want Moya on that roster to face just one lefty. I hope they are open to that possibility. (knock on wood)

[Darius]

Nailed it if you add Berrios and leave out Boshers.

 

Mejia should be able to fill in as a LHP out of the pen.

 

Ideally, is like another guy with pop on the bench. Granite and Adrianza are kind do redundant in a one game situation (Adrianza can play LF, Roasario/Kepler can play center, Escobar could play short). But, if you make it beyond that they may both come in handy. But, a guy who could stroll up and hit one into the seats if down 2 in the ninth would nice (I don't think Vargas or Garver is that guy).