Make Your Opening Day Roster Predictions Here!

[Vanimal46]

Lineup:

C - Castro

1B - Cron

2B - School

SS - Polanco

3B - Gonzalez

LF - Rosario

CF - Buxton

RF - Kepler

 

Bench:

 

C: Garver

IF: Adrianza

OF: Cave

Util: Astudillo

 

Rotation:

 

Berrios

Pineda

Gibson

Odorizzi

 

Bullpen:

 

May

Rogers (L)

Parker

Mejia (L)

Perez (L)

Hildenberger

Magill

Harper

 

IL: Sano, Addison Reed, Moya

[zenser]

Lineup:
C - Castro
1B - Cron
2B - Schoop
SS - Polanco
3B - Gonzalez
LF - Rosario
CF - Buxton
RF - Kepler

DH - Cruz

Bench:

C: Garver
IF: Adrianza
OF: Cave
DH/1B: Austin

 

Rotation:

Berrios

Gibson

Odorizzi

Pineda
Perez

 

Bullpen:

May
Rogers (L)
Parker
Mejia (L)
Hildenberger
Magill
Harper

 

IL: Sano, Reed, Moya

 

Harper is added to 40 man and Michael Reed (maybe Duffey) is removed.

May gets the majority of the save situations out of the closer by committee.

[goulik]

C - Castro

1B - Cron

2B - Schoop

SS - Polanco

3B/Util Gonzalez

LF - Rosario

CF - Buxton

RF - Kepler

 

Bench:

C: Garver

DH/1B/PH Austin

OF: Cave

3B/OF Astudillo

 

Rotation:

Berrios

Pineda

Gibson

Odorizzi

 

Bullpen:

May

Rogers (L)

Parker

Mejia (L)

Perez (L)

Hildenberger

Magill

Harper

 

Adrianza will be cut. When Sano returns, Astudillo can be sent down.

[Kelly Vance]

 

C - Castro
1B - Cron
2B - Schoop
SS - Polanco
3B/Util Gonzalez
LF - Rosario
CF - Buxton
RF - Kepler

Bench:
C: Garver
DH/1B/PH Austin
OF: Cave
3B/OF Astudillo

Rotation:
Berrios
Pineda
Gibson
Odorizzi

Bullpen:
May
Rogers (L)
Parker
Mejia (L)
Perez (L)
Hildenberger
Magill
Harper

Adrianza will be cut. When Sano returns, Astudillo can be sent down.

I don't see the Twins going into the season without a back up middle infielder. It's just not done. Ehire makes the team. Astud goes down to AAA.

[howieramone2]

 

Lineup:
C - Castro
1B - Cron
2B - School
SS - Polanco
3B - Gonzalez
LF - Rosario
CF - Buxton
RF - Kepler

Bench:

C: Garver
IF: Adrianza
OF: Cave
Util: Astudillo

Rotation:

Berrios
Pineda
Gibson
Odorizzi

Bullpen:

May
Rogers (L)
Parker
Mejia (L)
Perez (L)
Hildenberger
Magill
Harper

IL: Sano, Addison Reed, Moya

I would start Hildy in Rochester and take Austin over The Turtle.

[yarnivek1972]

rf Kepler

ss Polanco

dh Cruz

lf Rosario

1b Cron

3b Gonzalez

2b Schoop

c Castro

cf Buxton

p Berrios

 

If Adrianza

of Cave

1b/dh Austin

of Reed

c Garver

 

sp Gibson

sp Odorizzi

sp Pineda

 

rp Harper

rp Magill

rp May

rp Mejia

rp Parker

rp Perez

rp Rogers

 

As has been mentioned, the Twins do not play more than 3 days in a row until April 15. There is no way they should need 12 pitchers until at least the 12th. They barely need 4 starters. In addition to using Perez in the pen until about the 12th, I would use Odorizzi as a swing man until about then as well. If I read the schedule correctly, he would only make one start prior to then. Berrios, Gibson and Pineda should make as many as “normal rest” allows.

 

Barring injury, under this plan it is extremely likely that on or about the 12th, Reed and Austin would be waived and replaced by Astudillo and Hildenberger. But, the bottom line is that they don’t need to do so yet, I don’t believe they should and don’t believe they will. Falvey and Levine have used the schedule and roster rules to maximize the roster (usually). I believe this will allow them to do so. Additionally, it will allow for further evaluation of Reed and Austin and will not expose them to waivers until two weeks into the season - a time when them slipping through increases because teams have set their rosters.

[goulik]

I don't see the Twins going into the season without a back up middle infielder. It's just not done. Ehire makes the team. Astud goes down to AAA.

Gonzalez is the back up middle infielder in my line up. When Gonzo is at SS or 2B, Astudillo is at 3B.

[Kelly Vance]

 

Gonzalez is the back up middle infielder in my line up. When Gonzo is at SS or 2B, Astudillo is at 3B.

Gonzalez is starting at 3b, so he i snot the backup until Sano returns. They need another middle infielder

[stringer bell]

 

Gonzalez is starting at 3b, so he i snot the backup until Sano returns. They need another middle infielder

While Gonzalez will start most games at third, he's the unusual type that has always played all over. He could be the guy moving around to get others in the lineup. 

[Thrylos]

Lineup:

C - Castro
1B - Cron
2B - School
SS - Polanco
3B - Gonzalez
LF - Rosario
CF - Buxton
RF - Kepler

DH/OF - Cruz

 

Bench:

C: Garver
UT: Adrianza
UT: Astudillo

1B/DH: Austin

 

Rotation:

 

Berrios
Gibson
Odorizzi

Pineda

 

Bullpen:

 

May
Rogers (L)
Parker

Romero
Mejia (L)
Perez (L)
Harper

Collins (L)

 

 

IL: Sano, Addison Reed, Moya, Magill

[Twodogs]

rf Kepler

ss Polanco

dh Cruz

lf Rosario

1b Cron

3b Gonzalez

2b Schoop

c Castro

cf Buxton

p Berrios

 

If Adrianza

of Cave

1b/dh Austin

of Reed

c Garver

 

sp Gibson

sp Odorizzi

sp Pineda

 

rp Harper

rp Magill

rp May

rp Mejia

rp Parker

rp Perez

rp Rogers

 

As has been mentioned, the Twins do not play more than 3 days in a row until April 15. There is no way they should need 12 pitchers until at least the 12th. They barely need 4 starters. In addition to using Perez in the pen until about the 12th, I would use Odorizzi as a swing man until about then as well. If I read the schedule correctly, he would only make one start prior to then. Berrios, Gibson and Pineda should make as many as “normal rest” allows.

 

Barring injury, under this plan it is extremely likely that on or about the 12th, Reed and Austin would be waived and replaced by Astudillo and Hildenberger. But, the bottom line is that they don’t need to do so yet, I don’t believe they should and don’t believe they will. Falvey and Levine have used the schedule and roster rules to maximize the roster (usually). I believe this will allow them to do so. Additionally, it will allow for further evaluation of Reed and Austin and will not expose them to waivers until two weeks into the season - a time when them slipping through increases because teams have set their rosters.

I like your idea, but I think with Pineda coming off TJ that they will use at least a 4 man rotation so as to give the guys some more rest early on, especially Pineda.

[lecroy24fan]

 

Lineup:

C - Castro
1B - Cron
2B - School
SS - Polanco
3B - Gonzalez
LF - Rosario
CF - Buxton
RF - Kepler

DH/OF - Cruz

 

Bench:

C: Garver
UT: Adrianza
UT: Astudillo

1B/DH: Austin

 

Rotation:

 

Berrios
Gibson
Odorizzi

Pineda

 

Bullpen:

 

May
Rogers (L)
Parker

Romero
Mejia (L)
Perez (L)
Harper

Collins (L)

 

 

IL: Sano, Addison Reed, Moya, Magill

You're very close but Romero has already been sent down. I think they keep an extra bat for a week or so. Probably Cave. Otherwise Hildy might make it.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

rf Kepler

ss Polanco

dh Cruz

lf Rosario

1b Cron

3b Gonzalez

2b Schoop

c Castro

cf Buxton

p Berrios

 

If Adrianza

of Cave

1b/dh Austin

of Reed

c Garver

 

sp Gibson

sp Odorizzi

sp Pineda

 

rp Harper

rp Magill

rp May

rp Mejia

rp Parker

rp Perez

rp Rogers

 

As has been mentioned, the Twins do not play more than 3 days in a row until April 15. There is no way they should need 12 pitchers until at least the 12th. They barely need 4 starters. In addition to using Perez in the pen until about the 12th, I would use Odorizzi as a swing man until about then as well. If I read the schedule correctly, he would only make one start prior to then. Berrios, Gibson and Pineda should make as many as “normal rest” allows.

 

Barring injury, under this plan it is extremely likely that on or about the 12th, Reed and Austin would be waived and replaced by Astudillo and Hildenberger. But, the bottom line is that they don’t need to do so yet, I don’t believe they should and don’t believe they will. Falvey and Levine have used the schedule and roster rules to maximize the roster (usually). I believe this will allow them to do so. Additionally, it will allow for further evaluation of Reed and Austin and will not expose them to waivers until two weeks into the season - a time when them slipping through increases because teams have set their rosters.

I would think Pineda would be the 5th starter, and begin the season as swing man in order to limit his innings. This will be his first season back from TJ.

 

I like your idea and agree. Twins will keep as many hitters as possible with the hopes to sneak them through waivers early in the season when they need more pitching.

[yarnivek1972]

I guess I don’t agree with resting Pineda now. He’s presumably strong now. If he needs a break at some point, that’s what a “tired arm” diagnosis and DL stint is for.

 

The best way to build up his arm is consistent work.

[lecroy24fan]

Perez also has relief experience just last year. 

 

Breaking news that Collins, and Rosales, were cut. I think this good for Harper's chances of making the team.

[Kelly Vance]

 

While Gonzalez will start most games at third, he's the unusual type that has always played all over. He could be the guy moving around to get others in the lineup. 

But not until Sano is back. 

[Mr. Brooks]

But not until Sano is back.

Why can't he be the starting 3B most days, and also slide over to 2B or SS once a week when Polanco or Schoop need a day off?

[Kelly Vance]

 

Why can't he be the starting 3B most days, and also slide over to 2B or SS once a week when Polanco or Schoop need a day off?

I suppose he can. But that is a reach, and a big one.  I cannot name a MLB team that has gone into the season without a good middle infield glove as a bench player. That includes every Twin team since 1960 

[stringer bell]

If Austudillo makes the team and if the manager thinks he plays a major league third base, I see Marwin moving around before Sanó returns.

[Doomtints]

This front office doesn't do anything predictable. The bench players could be almost anybody at this point.

[rugbymikes]

Cave performed extremely well last year. His avg. HR distance is impressive with just a 200lb frame. He led all rookies in HRs in the second half of last season. He more than demonstrated he can play at the MLB level. He earned being designated the Twins rookie of the year. Not sure what message they would be sending putting him back in AAA just because he has options. He has over 2000 minor league ABs. He deserves to be the 4th OF. He really should be competing for the RF starting job.

[stringer bell]

While Cave might "deserve" to make the team, he has options and no real viable way to get much playing time. He was a good story last year, and I'm sure he'll get his major league time this year, but I think the Twins will send him down to start the season.

 

Given the construction of the roster, I don't see many at-bats available for Austin either. I hope the team can find a trade partner and get back a bullpen piece.

[Twodogs]

The smoke is starting to clear. Reed was traded for a non-40 man guy, Magill, Reed and Moya look headed to the DL. The remaining battles are Harper v. Morin v. Guilmet for the last BP spot (or 2) and Austin vs. Astudillo for the last bench spot. Much as I like Astudillo, I think they'll go with Austin unless they can trade him. Here's my prediction for the roster:

 

SP (5)- Berrios, Gibson, Pineda, Odorrizzi, Perez (starts in BP).

BP (7) - Rogers, Parker, Mejia, May, Hildenberger, Harper, Morin

Dh (1) - Cruz

IF (6) - Cron, Schoop, Polanco, Gonzalez, Adrianza, Austin

OF (4) - Rosario, Buxton, Kepler, Cave

C (2) - Castro, Garver

 

I think they'll keep Austin because of the option situation but I bet they're actively trying to trade him. They can't keep him all year and he isn't going to get enough at bats to get better. I think it's better to try to sneak him through waivers now because it will be harder in May when he has to go for Sano.

 

The BP is tough if Reed, Moya, and Magill are all on the DL.That's 3 guys you expected to be in the BP - almost half of the BP starts the season on the DL. That should leave room open for Harper and one more - tough to choose between Morin, Eades and Guilmet. Morin will probably get it because of his experience, but I'd like to see them give Guilmet or Eades a shot since we know what Morin is - a middling middle reliever. It's also possible they will trade for or pick up somebody's elses tough cut for the BP. The other possibility would be to start with a 6 man BP and Perez as the 7th man, but that can only last ofr about 3 weeks. That could keep Astudillo on the roster.

To add guys like Harper and Morin the Twins need to add them to the 40 man. Who do they remove from the 40 man in order to add both of them?

 

Oops, I just saw they traded Reed away, so that's one spot, who would be best to dump to add the other? Geez Gulimet has a nice K rate in the spring.

 

I haven't been real confident in Hildendinger but he's got a 1.04 Whip during the spring, so hopefully he has figured out how to do well

[Vanimal46]

To add guys like Harper and Morin the Twins need to add them to the 40 man. Who do they remove from the 40 man in order to add both of them?

 

Oops, I just saw they traded Reed away, so that's one spot, who would be best to dump to add the other? Geez Gulimet has a nice K rate in the spring.

 

I haven't been real confident in Hildendinger but he's got a 1.04 Whip during the spring, so hopefully he has figured out how to do well

Addison Reed should probably be moved to the 60 day IL... But if that isn't the move I would guess Duffey is removed from the 40.

[bighat]

 

Geez Gulimet has a nice K rate in the spring.

 

I hear he's also got a 5-star rating as an Uber driver and so far has performed admirably in his role as a weekend Grub Hub delivery guy.

[Twodogs]

I hear he's also got a 5-star rating as an Uber driver and so far has performed admirably in his role as a weekend Grub Hub delivery guy.

Gotta figure out a way on to the club somehow?

[sweetmusicviola16]

 

This front office doesn't do anything predictable. The bench players could be almost anybody at this point.

Nobody has mentioned Torreyes. He is still in the mix and I wouldn't be overly surprised if he gets the nod over Adrianza.

[yarnivek1972]

I still don’t think there is a need for 12 pitchers on opening day. They play 10 games from March 28 through April 11. 5 off days in 15 days.

 

For starting pitchers, I would go:

 

28 Berrios

29 off

30 Gibson

31 Pineda

1 off

2 Berrios

3 Odorizzi

4 off

5 Gibson

6 Pineda

7 Berrios

8 off

9 Odorizzi

10 Gibson

11 off

12 Berrios

13 Pineda

14 Odorizzi

15 Gibson

16 Perez

 

Perez in the pen through April 10. Odorizzi in the pen opening weekend and he should be available on the 6th, as that would be his “throw day” anyway. Maybe he would “open” and throw 30-40 pitches and then bring in Pineda. So, that one stretch where they actually play 3 straight days, you have that extra guy available. Hildenberger most likely comes up April 12 (red letter date in world history). Most likely for Austin, unless someone gets hurt between now and then. Another reason to carry the extra bat is that 5 of those games are in NL parks. You’ll want the extra hitter.

 

And if it turns out you need a pitcher, you bring one up. It isn’t that complicated. The Twins carried (and basically didn’t use) Haley, Hughes or Magill last April.