Article: Twins Add Gordon, Wade, Arraez To 40-Man Roster

[darin617]

They also have plenty of AAAA pitchers on the 40 man that could sent through waivers down the road.

[tvagle]

Here's hoping one of these familiar guys doesn't wind up on the 40-man

 

Rays Designate C.J. Cron, Announce Other Roster Moves

[Thrylos]

Sounds like Busenitz is being released to play in Japan as well...

Edited November 21, 2018 by Thrylos

[HrbekRules]

Nick Anderson traded to the Marlins for infielder Brian Schales.

[tvagle]

 

Nick Anderson traded to the Marlins for infielder Brian Schales.

 

Filed under: Something is better than nothing

 

Brian Schales Baseball Reference

[ashbury]

Nick Anderson traded to the Marlins for infielder Brian Schales.

Dispatching a guy rather than let him be taken via Rule-5, for... who? An infielder who will not be considered by Rule-5 selectors? I'm not sure the point.

 

MLBTR indicates "more to come". I hope so.

[tvagle]

Claim Dietrich and pay him his $4.8M in arbitration

 

EDIT: may have jumped the gun on this recommendation due to RBVS - RiverBrian Versatility Syndrome

 

Does look like a possible Utility guy against RH guys who throw pitches sometime in a game

Edited November 21, 2018 by tvagle

[Danchat]

I guess getting something for Anderson is nice, because the Twins probably weren't going to use him. It stinks to see Busenitz sent off to Asia already, but he just wasn't cutting it here. There goes the last piece of the Nolasco-Santiago trade... until Alex Meyer recovers from his shoulder surgery in 2020.

[beckmt]

Glad to see they protected Arraez.   Maybe their is stuff we don't know coming down (like trading Gordon).

[mlhouse]

 

2018 MiLB numbers in AA and AAA

 

against RHP: .281/.391/.409

against LHP: .189/.266/.297

 

No. He does not hit LHPs.  He is pretty much an automatic out against them.  He does mash against RHP.

 

The Twins already have 4 lefty throwing OFs on their 4 man roster.  How given is a 5th?  Or an 8th total OF?  Meanwhile the infielder roster, including 1B sits at just 5.

 

It is a numbers game

 

 

Then, of course, in 2017 he hit .313 against LHP with a .794 OPS (.809 OPS vs. RHP).  THen, of course, in 2016 he hit .315 vs LHP with a .893 OPS (.823 OPS vs. RHP).   Then, of course, in 2015 he hit .345 vs. LHP with a .966 OPS (.884 OPS vs. RHP).

 

So, with the single exception of 2018 when he played hurt, he has actually hit LHP better than RHP.  I think that you can make some argument that the years previous to 2018 were at lower levels, but to claim he is "an automatic out against LHP" isn't true one iota until you cherry pick the statistics.

[Otto von Ballpark]

For $100,000 it's foolish not to take a rule 5 player. I haven't looked lately, but at one time Haley was on the best team in baseball. With us he was on the DL twice and couldn't seem to stay healthy. Injuries are part of the game, but the pick was a good one.

Justin Haley threw 7.2 innings of mop-up duty for the Red Sox in June, was nowhere near their MLB roster in the second half of the season much less the postseason, and cleared waivers and was outrighted off the 40-man by Boston on Nov. 1st, before he elected minor league free agency on Nov. 2.

 

So if you want him back, here's your chance! You can give him a spot instead of another Rule 5 guy.

[Otto von Ballpark]

They got a MLB player for $100,000. I don't follow every other team and really don't care what they do. If the search committee had picked me, I would always take a rule 5 player. Always.

$100k seems cheap, but in modern Rule 5, you're not buying much. Take a look at the recent results:

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_5_draft_results

 

The last couple years, it's like maybe 1 useful guy out of 18 picks.

 

By comparison, there are quite a few far more successful/valuable guys signed on minor league deals every year -- like Brandon Morrow for the Dodgers a couple years ago, Kintzler for the Twins, etc. Dereck Rodriguez, even. And those guys actually cost LESS than $100k (not to mention not requiring a 25 man roster spot). You'd probably be better off trying to identify those guys and enticing them to sign with the roster spot you would have used on a Rule 5 pick instead.

 

It comes down to, what's the best 40-man I can assemble in the offseason? And what's the best 25-man I can field to start the season? Talent can be scarce, but not so scarce that Rule 5 picks need to be part of those roster equations, at the low odds of recent Rule 5 results. There's enough potential/talent available, in free agency, trades, etc., that it's easy to see why it's preferable for most teams to opt against drafting/rostering Rule 5 guys.

Edited November 21, 2018 by spycake

[Otto von Ballpark]

As a baseball nerd, I love Rule 5, and I love rooting for underdogs like Rule 5 picks, but honestly, I think I'd rather see my favorite team have a better plan for talent acquisition and roster construction these days.

[Seth Stohs]

 

As a baseball nerd, I love Rule 5, and I love rooting for underdogs like Rule 5 picks, but honestly, I think I'd rather see my favorite team have a better plan for talent acquisition and roster construction these days.

 

I just think there's no risk... Take a guy, and give him back... or turn him into Ryan Pressly. Either way I just mainly think it's silly to think that the team should just never take that option, whether they are a contender or not. 

[tvagle]

In yet more former Twins 40-man issues...another long-time Twin is available again

 

MLBTR: Cubs Outright Johnny Field, Jerry Vasto

[jorgenswest]

I just think there's no risk... Take a guy, and give him back... or turn him into Ryan Pressly. Either way I just mainly think it's silly to think that the team should just never take that option, whether they are a contender or not.

 

I don’t think it is a never nor is it an always,

 

A rebuilding team can always find space. A contending team needs to find a player and role that fits the roster. In today’s game team’s utilize options to shuttle relievers. You don’t get options with a rule 5 player. If the Twins target a middle infielder that can compete with Adrianza for that bench spot it could be a fit. The back of the bullpen has to be flexible.

[Mike Sixel]

I just think there's no risk... Take a guy, and give him back... or turn him into Ryan Pressly. Either way I just mainly think it's silly to think that the team should just never take that option, whether they are a contender or not.

The risk is keeping good players off the 25 man roster for a year. Contending teams probably shouldn't hamstring their manager that way.

[DocBauer]

Then, of course, in 2017 he hit .313 against LHP with a .794 OPS (.809 OPS vs. RHP).  THen, of course, in 2016 he hit .315 vs LHP with a .893 OPS (.823 OPS vs. RHP).   Then, of course, in 2015 he hit .345 vs. LHP with a .966 OPS (.884 OPS vs. RHP).

 

So, with the single exception of 2018 when he played hurt, he has actually hit LHP better than RHP.  I think that you can make some argument that the years previous to 2018 were at lower levels, but to claim he is "an automatic out against LHP" isn't true one iota until you cherry pick the statistics.

 

Thank you. Thought my crazy memory had gotten even crazier. Lol

[DocBauer]

I'm glad Arraez was protected. I get he's probably ONLY a 2B. And I know Polanco will probably slide to 2B this next season or in the next couple. And I also get it may have been bard for someone to stash Arraez.

 

But even if the Twins sign a quality infielder, which they HAVE TO DO, you need depth. This kid has an undeniable hit tool. We are hurting for depth at the upper levels. I think this was smart.

[AlwaysinModeration]

While I’m a bit suspicious that Tyler Jay or Jake Reed will get picked, I am hoping that this is a sign the FO has plans to sign one or more free agent relievers this offseason, who are considerably better than Jay or Reed are or will ever be.

[rdehring]

 

I'm glad Arraez was protected. I get he's probably ONLY a 2B. And I know Polanco will probably slide to 2B this next season or in the next couple. And I also get it may have been bard for someone to stash Arraez. But even if the Twins sign a quality infielder, which they HAVE TO DO, you need depth. This kid has an undeniable hit tool. We are hurting for depth at the upper levels. I think this was smart.

Or Arraez will hit .350 the first month at AA, then .350 at Rochester for a couple months before moving up to the Twins where he will do the same.  

 

Yes that comment is unlikely.  Or is it?  This kid has hit well over .300 at every stop he has been at.

 

As for all the pitchers that weren't added, the Twins must feel that none of them are better than the 10 prospects they already had on the roster...now 9 with Busenitz gone.

[Han Joelo]

I'm glad they protected Arraez.  I'd have hated having to read the stories about the Twins finally paying their karmic debt for nabbing Santana in the rule V.

 

The Rule V draft seems to be happening already, and instead of $100,000, the best(?) prospects will cost you a different, marginal, non-40 man prospect.  And save you the 25 man roster juggle.  Glad Busenitz and Anderson have found semi-stable spots where they'll get a chance to put some money in the bank for a while.

[Doctor Wu]

 

gotta concur here. This team is where it is because they have utterly failed at picking high with those two picks. Not just a small fail, but complete so far. Maybe Stewart bounce back....but Jay will be claimed and they will have bupkiss to show for the 6th overall pick just a few years ago. 

Just gotta say I love that word "bupkiss" that you used. That made me smile. Thank you!

[Doctor Wu]

 

In yet more former Twins 40-man issues...another long-time Twin is available again

 

MLBTR: Cubs Outright Johnny Field, Jerry Vasto

Long-time Twin? He was more of a "blink and you missed him Twin" !!!

[SomeGuy]

 

Add

Harrison Bader
Paul DeJong
Ian Happ
David Fletcher

 

And the fact that all but Swanson and Bregman were picked up after Jay and makes that pick pretty bad.

 

Need to mention that several of the first round picks who did not make it to the majors are high schoolers, including Brendan Rodgers #15 overall prospect at MLB.com, for whom it is tough to make it to the majors 3 years after drafted

 

. 

The Twins' drafts have been pathetic.  Another data point: only Gibson is still with the team from the players who were drafted before 2012.   That speaks tons.

 

How many of those players lost a year to injury?  I'm not trying to defend Jay as the next big thing, because he is not.  Just saying it was not a "shameful pick."  Saying that 8 players from the first round are playing right now doesn't mean all other picks are busts.

 

You're forgetting Eddie Rosario from the 2010 draft. 

 

Added data point: Bill Smith was GM for 2008 to 2011 drafts.  He was terrible.  He in no way reflects the generally decent drafter that was Terry Ryan or the new front office that I think had 2 amazing drafts.

 

 

Edited November 21, 2018 by SomeGuy

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Nick Anderson traded to the Marlins for infielder Brian Schales.

This is the kind of thing that I'm glad we are starting to see. May end up being nothing, but if the Twins are pretty convinced Anderson won't be that pen guy we want, then get something for him. 

[LimestoneBaggy]

I don't know why, but I keep coming back to Arraez=Yangervis Solarte.

 

 

[bird]

 

 perhaps... but it wasn't like that one surprised the pundits. Most mocks had him going in the top 10.

 

 

It's hard to argue that Jay wasn't a mistake pick. It's also hard to argue that the pundits weren't too high on him, although his injury history explains some of his struggles. 

 

But people don't place his selection into context either. Right now, 28 of the first 42 selections have not played MLB. Only 5 of the 42 have generated positive WAR so far. Benintendi and Buehler were both available, so yes, drafting either of those two at #7 or #24 would have been huge.

 

But that's the nature of the draft. All teams have their occasional misfires, every one of them. Not an excuse, just an attempt to temper the criticism a bit. All teams miss on winners, all teams have prospects who fail them through no real fault of their own, and all teams over-estimate a ceiling or take a risk that backfires every once in awhile.

 

I seem to remember comments about the Gibson selection at #22. The pundits had his ceiling, at best, as a #2, and some thought he was too safe of a pick. An example of the inept Twins picking a high floor guy instead of going for the marbles. Many people were castigating the Twins about his selection up until about a year or so ago. Some might still, despite the fact that only 4 of the 21 players selected ahead of Gibson (9.4) have generated as much WAR and two of those guys, Mike Minor (10.4) and Mike Leake (15.6), might have lower trade value than Gibson and could conceivably be passed by him in terms of WAR before it's all over.

 

So personally, I'm not terribly distraught that Jay has been left unprotected. At least he's still in the hunt.

Edited November 21, 2018 by birdwatcher

[bird]

 

This is the kind of thing that I'm glad we are starting to see. May end up being nothing, but if the Twins are pretty convinced Anderson won't be that pen guy we want, then get something for him. 

 

 

Bingo. That was part of my biggest complaint about Ryan, not actively managing the player assets.

[Han Joelo]

I've defended the Jay pick plenty, and would continue to from a theoretical standpoint.

 

On the other hand, it was ultimately a big fail.  And heads rolled.  And now the new guys are ready to move on.  As am I.  Which likely won't even happen--Jay will remain a Twins farmhand.

 

Instead, take a look at the 2016 draft.  Are any of those guys taken before AK ranked higher than he is now?  I'm thinking not.  Of course, at least on MLB.com, Forrest Whitley, taken two picks later, is ranked higher...