Article: What Do The Twins See In Tyler Kinley?

[sploorp]

 

Name a Rule 5 pick who has been sent back before March. Technically possible, but it literally never happens. Not a huge deal, but they will cut or trade someone else this winter if they need a spot.

That's not the point.  The point is there is still plenty of flexibility left.  The team isn't locked into anything with the pick.  It doesn't matter how stupid or pointless it is or if it's never been done, sending him back without even a look before spring training even starts is still an option.  And then there is the possibility of trades opening up a spot or two.

 

Personally, the more I think about recent developments, the more I think the team is seriously pursuing trades.

[The Wise One]

 

How often did the Twins put Adrianza in the outfield, Gimenez at first, or go without an extra pinch hitter or pinch runner last year, because Haley was taking a Rule 5 roster spot and only pitching in a handful of games? Asking for a friend.

If it was not Haley on the roster it would have as likely to have been another relief pitcher on the roster. They carried 13 after Haley was gone. That they used the position players as they did is a reflection on using 13 pitchers for most of the season, not specifically Haley

[The Wise One]

 

Name a Rule 5 pick who has been sent back before March. Technically possible, but it literally never happens. Not a huge deal, but they will cut or trade someone else this winter if they need a spot.

There is no shortage of players that people think should not be on the roster

[Otto von Ballpark]

That's not the point. The point is there is still plenty of flexibility left. The team isn't locked into anything with the pick. It doesn't matter how stupid or pointless it is or if it's never been done, sending him back without even a look before spring training even starts is still an option.

By that logic, if they sign Napoli for league minimum plus incentives, they are technically not locked into keeping him until spring training either because they could release him anytime. But in practical/effective terms, as I explicitly stated in the comment that started this tangent, just like Napoli in that hypothetical, Kinley is locked into a 40-man spot into at least mid-March.

 

Now if you want to argue that overall it doesn't matter, because they could just as easily cut Boshers if they need a spot in the meantime, or finally trade Vargas or Grossman or whatever, that makes sense. But in regards to Kinley specifically, it is illogical to deny that he's here until at least mid-March. And if one is doubtful of his chances of sticking and contributing this year, then I think it is a fair to question even that modest level of commitment.